OVP wants P2.3 billion budget

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte is asking for at least P2.3 billion in budget for 2023 and it is three times higher than its current P713,408 budget.

According to GMA News, based on the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the House of Representatives, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is seeking a total of P2,305,396,000 funding for next year —more than thrice the budget allocated for the office in 2022.

Of the proposed P2.3 billion budget, a total of P2,292,673,000 will be for new appropriations for general administration and support, and operations; and P12,723,000 will go to automatic appropriations for retirement and life insurance premiums.

The report said among the special provisions cited in the NEP is the OVP’s submission of quarterly reports on its financial and physical accomplishments within 30 days after the end of every quarter.

According to the budget document, the OVP shall send written notice when said reports have been submitted or posted on its website to the DBM, House of Representatives, the Senate, House Committee on Appropriations, Senate Committee on Finance, and other offices where the submission of reports is required under existing laws, rules, and regulations.

The date of notice to the mentioned agencies shall be considered the date of compliance with such a requirement, it added.

Another special provision is the OVP’s appropriations for its activities or projects.

The strategic objectives of the budget include a “people-centered, innovative, clean, efficient, effective, and inclusive delivery of public goods and services” for a sector outcome; and an “enhanced strategic partnership and advocacy on good governance” as an organizational outcome.

Since she assumed office, Duterte - who is likely to run for the presidency after President Bongbong Marcos’ term - has put up offices in different regions in the country which offer medical and burial assistance programs which the local governments and the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office are also providing. (Mindanao Examiner)