MANILA – Some senators are planning to slightly increase the P733.19-million budget allocated to the office of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio next year.
According to Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, he heard from some of his colleagues about the plan to add to the Office of the Vice President’s funds once it is tackled in the Senate.
“In fairness, dito nag-attend po siya. And she answered questions raised by some of our senators. She was very engaging with the senators, so walang problema,” he added.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday reduced the proposed budget of the OVP to P733 million from P2 billion after Duterte-Carpio refused to answer questions regarding the budget.
The P1.29-billion budget cut would be slashed from the following:
* supplies (P200 million)
* personnel services of consultants (P92.4 million)
* financial assistance (P947.4 million)
* rent/lease expenses (P48 million)
* utility expenses (P5 million).
The slashed amounts are recommended to be allocated to Department of Health’s Medical Assistance Program (P646.5 million) and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (P646.5 million).
A bicameral conference of several senators and congressmen will likely settle any differences in the amounts to be allocated to the OVP./PN
