Manila: The Senate Committee on Finance has decided to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), following the OVP’s failure to provide requested documentation. Under the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) forwarded by the House, the OVP’s budget for next year is set at PHP733 million, significantly less than the PHP2.03 billion initially proposed.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Grace Poe, chair of the finance panel, confirmed the decision in a message to reporters. Despite multiple requests for clarification documents from the OVP, none were received, prompting the Senate to maintain the OVP budget as outlined in House Bill No. 10800, pending further submission and review of documentation.

The original 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) requested PHP2.037 billion for the OVP, but the House reduced this figure by PHP1.3 billion. The reallocated funds are designated for the Department of Social Welfare and Developmen
t’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program and the Department of Health’s (DOH) Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program.

House Appropriations Committee Chair Elizaldy Co praised the Senate’s resolution, highlighting its dedication to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Co noted that the budget reduction primarily affects the OVP’s satellite office rental costs, which amounted to PHP53 million in 2023 for the lease of 10 satellite offices and two extensions nationwide.

Co emphasized the potential benefits of reallocating these funds to DSWD’s AICS and Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), along with DOH’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP). Each program will receive PHP646.5 million from the OVP’s budget, aiming to bolster support for vulnerable communities. This strategic reallocation is intended to enhance the DSWD and DOH’s ability to deliver essential medical and financial aid.

The Senat
e’s endorsement of the budget cuts is seen as a crucial measure to ensure effective public service delivery, aligning with broader efforts to promote transparent and responsible fiscal management. Meanwhile, the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) remains pending, as it was not included in the 2025 NEP and requires further deliberation.

Senator Poe assured that the Senate Finance panel is committed to passing the 2025 national budget promptly, focusing on improving the lives of the Filipino people. (with a report from Filane Cervantes/PNA)