The 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) went down to Php733.198 million, a significant reduction compared to the Php2.037 billion budget proposal, Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, Senior Vice Chair of the Committee on House of Appropriations said on Thursday, September 12.
In a press conference, Quimbo confirmed that the committee decided to reduce the OVP’s 2025 budget in half. The office proposed that a budget of Php2.037 billion be given to them on the budget hearing last week. The committee cut the proposed budget in half, removing P1.29 billion.
Quimbo mentioned that the funds will be distributed to the Assitance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AISCS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the medical assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients under the Department of Health (DOH).
However, Quimbo stressed that the amount mentioned is not finalized, and may increase or decrease depending on the committee’s next budget hearing.
Another round of amendments for each of the government department’s budgets will be held from September 16 to 25, 2024 by the Committee.
Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the previous budget deliberation by the House of Representatives, stating that she is leaving the final decision on the OVP’s budget in the hands of Congress.
