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Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
OVP says proposed P903-M budget for 2026 sufficient to sustain programs
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) asserted that its requested P903 million allocation will be enough to support its ongoing programs—provided there are no reductions. In a press briefing Wednesday, OVP spokesperson Atty. Ruth Castelo said the proposed budget has already been fully allocated to specific programs, including disaster response and livelihood assistance. 'The P903 million budget of the Office of the Vice President is already allocated per program,' Castelo said. She noted that the proposed budget for disaster response operations in 2026 has significantly increased—from P30.25 million to P56.62 million—due to inflation and additional personnel requirements for expanded projects. Aside from disaster relief efforts, the OVP continues to implement its Mag-Negosyo Ta 'Day initiative, a flagship livelihood program that provides support to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Castelo said the Mag-Negosyo program is expected to operate on the same budget level as the previous year. While the funding remains unchanged, the OVP maximizes its reach through in-kind donations from private partners. However, Castelo clarified that the OVP does not accept monetary contributions, only goods or equipment directly intended for 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. Asked about the possibility of budget cuts during the bicameral conference committee, Castelo cautioned that any reduction could hinder the implementation of new programs, although existing initiatives would continue. 'For 2025, we cannot do anything. But we will proceed, we will still pursue the programs that we already have,' she said. Despite scrutiny over its proposed budget, the OVP's Disaster Operations Center (DOC) remains active in areas affected by calamities. From July 14 to August 5, the office conducted 18 relief operations across Quezon City, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Zambales—reaching 17,052 families or 82,481 individuals. Most recently, on August 4 and 5, the OVP deployed aid to 1,870 individuals in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. More operations are scheduled this week in Malvar, Calaca, Lian, and Laurel in Batangas, targeting at least 2,800 families.
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
OVP reports 85.55% utilization of P2-B budget in 2024
The Office of the Vice President, through the Disaster Operations Center, on Friday, May 31, 2024, distributes 2,000 relief bags to 2,000 verified flooded families from six hard-hit barangays in Lucena City, Quezon following the recent onslaught of Typhoon Aghon. OVP-DOC also deployed the Kalusugan Food Truck and served hot meals to 100 responders. OVP PHOTO The Office of the Vice President (OVP) under the leadership of Vice President Sara Duterte utilized 85.55% of its P2.084-billion budget allocated in fiscal year 2024. In its 2024 accomplishment report, the OVP reported that it used P1.783 billion of its budget as of December 31, 2024. "This utilization rate [of 85.55%] is attributed to the operations and successful implementation of socio-economic services and programs of the OVP," the office said. The OVP also logged a total of 1,780,079 beneficiaries in all its programs in 2024, with the office's free bus ride program having the highest number of beneficiaries at 1,025,275. Aside from the Libreng Sakay program, the OVP also has a PagbaBAGo campaign with 227,958 beneficiaries, medical assistance with 154,565 beneficiaries, and Rice Food Bags with 144,808, among others. Last year, the House of Representatives decided to reduce the 2025 budget of the OVP from the originally proposed P2 billion to P733 million amid Duterte's refusal to answer lawmakers' questions on OVP budget use, including confidential funds. The Senate retained the House-introduced budget cut despite calls from Duterte's allies to restore some of the OVP's proposed funding for social services. Duterte lamented the budget cut, saying that some 200 OVP personnel could lose their jobs and several projects of her office would have to be halted. For fiscal year 2026, OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said the proposed budget of the OVP increased by P170 million. Duterte's office initially made a proposal of P733 million for next year, retaining the office's 2025 budget, but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) increased it to P803.6 million, which further grew to a total of P903 million, upon the request of the OVP. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
