MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers are seeking to augment the 2021 budget of the Office of the Vice President to at least P1 billion to allow it to continue implementing its projects and programs.
During the House plenary debates on the OVP 2021 budget on Wednesday, Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. noted that the OVP received the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit for two consecutive years.
He likewise pointed out that the budget of the OVP was slashed from its proposed P723 million to P679 million.
“I am requesting the leadership of the House to do something, not only to restore the budget of the OVP from P679 million to P723 million but to follow the suggestion that we should increase the budget of the OVP to at least P1 billion,” Bordado said.
This was supported by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, pointing out that Vice President Leni Robredo has been proven “willing and very much able” to implement its programs for livelihood, for the marginalized society, and its programs in helping frontliners during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I would join and second the motion to increase the budget to at least 1 billion for the honorable Vice President,” he said.