Press Release
August 13, 2012

NICA, 3 other agencies budgets to be examined as
Senate resumes budget hearings today

The proposed budgets of the country's lead intelligence collection unit and three other agencies will be examined by the Senate Finance Committee as they defend their proposed budgets for 2013 today (Monday).

Senator Franklin M. Drilon who chairs the committee that reviews the proposed P2.006-trillion 2013 national budget said budget hearings will resume today after they were cancelled last week because of heavy rains.

To kick off the budget hearing this week, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) is expected to present details of its proposed budget of P491.32 million budget - net of automatic appropriation - an increase of percent 7.8 percent from its current appropriation of P458.62 million.

Similarly, the Philippine Dangerous Drug Board (PDDB) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will also lay out their proposed spending in 2013 align with their mandates to solve problems on illegal drugs.

PDDB is proposed to receive P170.84 million for 2013, P69.83 million below its current budget. And as opposed to PDDB, PDEA will get an increase of P175.69 million, or PP755.46 million, from its 2012 budget of P579.78 million.

Lastly, the National Security Council will also defend today its proposed 2013 budget of P109.55 million, 45.19 percent higher than its current budget of P75.45 million.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DAF) is set to face the committee on Tuesday to defend its proposed budget of P11.55 billion, net of automatic appropriation, which is 5.71 percent higher than its 2012 budget of P10.92 billion.

Finally, the President's communication units will present their proposed appropriations on Wednesday. Presidential Communication Operation Office is seeking P1.25 billion in 2013 from P1.05 billion in 2012, while the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office is proposed to get P68.72 million from P53.3 million this year.

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