The House of Representatives has finalized its decision to cut P1.3 billion from the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget, reallocating the funds to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).
Appropriations Chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co confirmed that the small committee responsible for introducing individual and institutional amendments to the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) has reassigned the P1.3 billion cut to these two agencies.
A total of P646.5 million will now bolster the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, while another P646.5 million will support the DOH’s Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.
Earlier, the House appropriations committee and the full chamber agreed to reduce Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2025 budget from P2.037 billion to P733.198 million.
Lawmakers cited overlapping functions between the OVP and agencies such as the DSWD and DOH as contributing factors to excessive spending.
Co noted that the reallocation will result in significant savings, particularly concerning the OVP’s rental expenses.
In 2023, the OVP spent P53 million on renting 10 satellite offices and two extension offices nationwide, a sharp increase from the P4.1 million annual rental cost during former Vice President Leni Robredo’s term.
Co emphasized that reducing redundancy in government roles will save P1.3 billion in national funds.
The OVP, meanwhile, boasted that it had helped 1.5 million beneficiaries through its programs.
Co also mentioned that the Commission on Audit (COA) recommended a thorough review of the OVP’s functions and spending.