In less than 30 minutes, the House of Representatives approved Wednesday (Oct. 14) the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2021.

Lawmakers insisted that the OVP’s proposed P679.74 million budget for 2021 should be augmented to strengthen its programs to help more vulnerable sectors adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Camarines Sur 3rd district Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. and Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the OVP’s budget should be increased to "at least P1 billion."
The OVP initially proposed P720 million budget for next year, but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) only approved P679.74 million.
"I am requesting the leadership of the House to do something to restore the budget of the Office of the Vice President,” Bordado told his colleagues during the Lower Chamber's deliberations on the OVP's proposed budget for 2021.
He proposed that the OVP’s budget for 2021 be increased to at least P1 billion to ensure the full implementation of its pro-poor programs and activities.
“In this plenary hall, I would therefore second and support the proposal of the Honorable Congressman of Camarines Sur Gabby to be able to increase the budget of the Office of the Vice President to allow the Vice President who is very willing and able to implement the program, especially her program for livelihood and for the marginalized sectors of the society,” Rodriguez said.
He said the OVP’s programs that benefit the country’s frontliners deserve Congress’ support.
Baguio lone District Rep. Mark Go also insisted that the OVP’s spending plan for 2021 should be doubled.
“The increase should be focused on the personnel services and the miscellaneous and other operating expenses. These are the two important components of the budget that should be given attention considering the many things that the President is doing and what she will do for the country,” he said.
"I would appreciate if this honorable body will immediately include this in our deliberation when we proposed amendments for approval on second reading.”
Makabayan lawmakers—ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro, Ferdinand Gaite, and Sarah Jane Elago also pushed for the OVP’s budget augmentation.