OVP budget defense ‘frustrating’ due to lack of cooperation – Adiong

MANILA, Philippines —  Defending the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was “kind of frustrating” and would have been easier if only the agency were cooperative, according to Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.

Adiong was assigned to defend the OVP budget at the plenary. The allocation for next year was cut from  P2.037 billion to P733.198 million, based on the recommendation of the lower chamber’s committee on appropriations.

“It’s easier for me to be honest about sponsoring the budget of the OVP had they been so cooperative. I personally have concerns that I would like to be clarified. So it’s really hard for me to sponsor and defend a budget that lacks preparation and did not clearly identify programs they want to implement,” the lawmaker said during an ambush interview on Wednesday.

“Mahirap (It’s difficult) to be honest with you. It’s kind of frustrating, to be honest,” he added.

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Adiong likewise noted that they purposely scheduled the deliberations on the OVP budget last, in case Vice President Sara Duterte changes her mind or if a representative attends the plenary debates.

“The only option I have as a sponsor is to hope that they would come and they would at least assist me in responding to potential questions or possible questions that my colleagues might be asking later on during the deliberation,” he said.

“May rason bakit siya ginagawang panghuli; inaantay talaga ineextend na baka may dumating. So binibigyan pa namin siya ng OVP ng pagkakataon na may dumating dito,” he added.

(There’s a reason why we are always scheduling them last. We are extending to give them a chance to attend.)

Earlier, panel senior vice chairperson and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo announced that the reduction of the budget would affect social service programs of the OVP which lawmakers intend to realign to programs of other government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH).

Of the P1.29 billion cut, Quimbo disclosed that the panel recommended allocating P646,532,796 to DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, while the other P646,533,796 to DOH’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to pass the 2025 General Appropriations Bill on the third and final reading on Wednesday night.