OVP: Proposed P903M budget 'enough'
In a press briefing on Wednesday, OVP spokesperson Atty. Ruth Castelo said the entire budget has been pre-allocated by program, with key areas such as disaster response and livelihood assistance already factored in.
'The budget, the P903 million budget of the Office of the Vice President, is allocated already per program,' Castelo said.
She noted that the budget for disaster operations has significantly increased from P30.25 million to P56.62 million in 2026.
'Of course, this will include, necessarily include inflation, and then the additional personnel that we will need to complete a bigger project kasama na yan, by an increase of P26 million,' she added.
(That includes an increase of P26 million under Ameri to account for inflation and additional staff.)
Beyond relief operations, the OVP continues to implement its flagship Mag-Negosyo Ta 'Day program, which provides financial and material support to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Launched in 2023, the program has so far granted P15,000 in livelihood aid to 1,416 individuals and P150,000 each to 30 civil society organizations, benefiting nearly 9,000 members nationwide.
'Magnegosyo Ta 'Day, I think we're going to have the same budget as last year,' Castelo said.
(We'll just make do again with whatever programs we can sustain until the 12th month, until December.)
She acknowledged that while the program's budget remains the same, the OVP continues to augment its reach through in-kind donations from private partners.
Castelo, however, clarified that the OVP strictly does not accept monetary contributions —only goods or equipment that go directly to beneficiaries.
'Kaya sa Magnegosyo, unless diretso na nilang tutulungan yung negosyante na mag-provide ng mga—for example, a hair salon—mag-provide na ng blower or pangkulot ng buhok... depende. Pero the office will not receive cash donations,' she added.
(Unless donors directly give items to the entrepreneur, like blowers or curling irons, we don't accept cash.)
When asked about the possibility of budget cuts during the bicameral conference committee, Castelo warned that while the OVP would maintain existing programs, potential reductions could limit the implementation of new initiatives.
'For 2025, we cannot do anything. But we will proceed, we will still pursue the programs that we already have,' Castelo noted.
Despite questions surrounding the OVP's proposed budget, its Disaster Operations Center (DOC) remains active in responding to communities hit by natural calamities.
Castelo highlighted that between July 14 and August 5, the office conducted 18 relief operations in areas such as Quezon City, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Zambales—reaching a total of 17,052 families or 82,481 individuals.
Most recently, the OVP deployed teams to Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro on August 4 and 5, assisting 1,870 individuals. Additional operations are lined up this week in Malvar, Calaca, Lian, and Laurel in Batangas, where the OVP aims to serve 2,800 families. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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