House GAB debates move forward; DMW, NCIP budget deliberations concluded

Manila Bulletin - House GAB debates move forward; DMW, NCIP budget deliberations concluded

House GAB debates move forward; DMW, NCIP budget deliberations concluded

House plenary debates continued as lawmakers terminated deliberations on the ₱10.68‑billion budget of the Department of Migrant Workers, including allocations for OWWA and its programs supporting OFWs.

Rep. Irene Labadlabad defended the agency's mandate to protect 2.2 million OFWs, while questions arose over the reduced ₱900‑million Emergency Repatriation Fund compared to last year's ₱1.2 billion.

The House also concluded debates on the ₱1.831‑billion budget of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, focusing on ancestral domain protection and strengthening regional service centers, as part of the chamber's scrutiny of the ₱7.2‑trillion national budget.

The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)