The bicameral conference committee has finalized its decision to retain the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget at ₱733 million for the 2025 national funding, following reductions from its initial proposal of ₱2.037 billion. The ₱1.29 billion cut was earlier recommended by the House of Representatives.
Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Sen. Grace Poe confirmed the decision after the committee’s final budget meeting on Wednesday. Despite suggestions from some senators to increase the allocation, the majority agreed to maintain the reduced amount.
“This is a collegial decision. While many of us had additional requests, the OVP will still have sufficient means to assist through their ₱600-million social services fund,” Poe stated in Filipino, emphasizing that the OVP remains adequately equipped to support its programs.
Poe also noted that the OVP did not formally or informally request an increase in its budget during the deliberations.
Rep. Stella Quimbo, senior vice chairperson of the House appropriations committee, explained that the budget reduction aimed to realign funds to other priority agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health.
