OP’s P6.03-B proposed budget gets swift OK from House panel

The House of Representatives committee on appropriations unanimously approved in less than a minute on Thursday the P6.03-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) for 2018.

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman moved to dispense Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea’s presentation of the budget and terminated the discussion.

“I move, consistent with tradition, that we dispense with the presentation of the proposed 2018 budget of the Office of the President proper, and I further move that we approve at the committee level said proposed appropriation without prejudice to its consideration and interpellation during the plenary session,” Lagman said.

Lagman’s motion was seconded by House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the House of Representatives for the support and assistance they have extended to the President,” Medialdea said.

The OP’s proposed budget for 2018 is P6.03 billion, or 70 percent lower than this year’s P20.1 billion. The bulk or P15 billion of the OP budget for this year has been allotted for the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summits and other related events.

Huge chunk of the budget, or P4.66 billion, will go to the OP’s maintenance and other operating expenses, followed by personal services at P994.159 billion, and capital outlay at P370.19 million.