In Just 5 Minutes, House of Panel Swiftly Ends Budget Hearing for OVP
The House of Committee on Appropriations swiftly ends the hearing for the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2023.
In comparison to the office’s P702 million budget for 2022, the OVP is requesting a budget of over P2.3 billion for 2023. However, the House panel’s discussion of the OVP’s proposed budget was over in just five minutes.
Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, the House minority leader and member of the 4Ps Party-list, proposed the termination. According to Libanan, the three-member Makabayan bloc decided to move the interpellation during the plenary debates even though they wanted to ask questions about the OVP’s proposed budget.
“While some members of the Makabayan bloc would like to profound questions on some new items in the budget they also join us but rather they will (raise) profound questions in the plenary to extend courtesy to the Office of the Vice President and therefore, Mr. Speaker, I move that we terminate the budget briefing,” he said.
Manuel Jose Dalipe, the leader of the House majority, seconded the proposal. The hearing’s opening remarks were made by Rep. Zaldy Co of the Ako Bicol Party, who chairs the House panel, praising the vice president’s office for its “notable” successes.
The opening of numerous satellite offices across the country, which will “allow the government to increase the reach of its social services,” was especially mentioned by the speaker. CO stated that they fully support the P2.31 billion planned budget of the OVP for 2023, the majority of which will be used for projects, good governance, and essential social services.
More than three times its allotted budget for this year, the OVP has proposed a P2.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. P91.3 million of the total would go for general administration and support, and P2.2 billion will go toward the program for good governance.
The OVP has proposed this amount as its largest budget since 2017, when former vice president Leni Robredo was in charge of the office. Prior to that, the office’s largest budget was P900 million in 2021. Prior to adjourning, Duterte spoke to express the appreciation of the OVP for the legislators’ cooperation.
In return, she offered her office’s assistance to their respective congressional districts. Duterte also singled out Kelvin Tenido, head of the OVP Budget Division, whom she commended for creating their 2023 budget proposal.
READ ALSO: Bongbong Marcos Message to Late Father After Election: President Recalls in Tears
What are your thoughts on this article? Just feel free to leave your reactions in the comment section.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We aim to give the freshest and in-demand content to our visitors. Come back next time at PhilNews for more updated news.
