BACOLOD City — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed uncertainty over the continued operation of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) satellite office here and elsewhere across the country next year, citing anticipated budget cuts.
The OVP has faced scrutiny in recent congressional inquiries, particularly regarding its budget utilization and confidential funds from the previous fiscal year.
In a press conference held her Bacolod City satellite office yesterday, November 11, Duterte-Carpio said the OVP satellite offices remain operational with funding from the 2024 budget, which is expected to last until December 31.
However, beyond that date, the future of these offices is unclear.
“We haven’t seen the final OVP budget yet since there’s no General Appropriations Act,” Duterte-Carpio explained. “Once the budget for next year is released, we’ll determine the OVP’s allocation and adjust accordingly.”
The potential budget cut could impact all 10 OVP satellite offices, affecting both staff and services.
As of November 11, records from the OVP Bacolod office indicated it had provided medical assistance to 42,500 individuals and burial aid to 3,840 recipients.
Serving both Panay and Negros Islands, the OVP Bacolod office is one of several satellite branches, including those in Dagupan City, Cauayan City, Cebu City, Zamboanga City, Legazpi City, Tacloban City, Agusan del Norte, Davao City, and Cotabato City.
Vice President Duterte-Carpio was in Bacolod yesterday to support a medical mission by Davao City doctors and to lead assistance distribution./PN
