Solons want P1B budget for VP Robredo's office next year

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Wednesday proposed to increase the budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2021 to at least P1 billion so that it could continue implementing its programs helping people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the plenary deliberations on the proposed 2021 budget of the OVP, Camarines Sur Representative Gabriel Bordado pointed out that although the office originally proposed an allocation of P723 million, it was only recommended P679 million.

This, despite having the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit for two consecutive years, and coming up with projects aimed at "engaging citizens in nation building, promoting the principles of democracy and empowering communities in the fight against poverty," he added.

"So I am requesting the leadership of the House to do something not only to restore the budget of the OVP, we should increase the budget of the Office of the Vice President to at least P1 billion so that it can continue implementing all its programs and projects whose objective is to uplift the lives of the marginalized Filipinos," Bordado said.

Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez supported Bordado's request, pointing that a budget increase for the OVP would boost its programs for livelihood, the marginalized sector, and for frontliners amid the fight against COVID-19.

"With that, I would join and second the motion to increase the budget to at least P1 billion for the honorable Vice President," he said.

Vice President Leni Robredo herself was present in the House plenary while the budget for her office was being deliberated.

Northern Samar Representative Paul Daza sponsored the budget of the OVP.

The House has terminated the plenary budget deliberations of the office after the interpellation of lawmakers.

Back in the OVP budget briefing last meeting, Robredo welcomed the suggestion of lawmakers to increase the allocation for her office.

"We will be very much honored if our budget will be increased. As I've said, we have been so used to making do with what we have but an increased budget will allow us to do more things with the little that will be given to us. So it is very, very much appreciated," she said.—AOL, GMA News