SEN. Bong Go stressed the necessity of properly funding the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to maintain essential social services as part of the proposed 2025 national budget.
“Many people in need should receive assistance from the government. Let’s not underestimate the agency responsible for providing help. The more people we assist, the more Filipinos will benefit,” Go said in Filipino during the Senate plenary session last Wednesday.
He urged his colleagues to reconsider the proposed budget cuts, saying that reducing OVP funding would limit access to critical assistance for Filipinos, especially those affected by natural disasters and economic hardship.
Vice President Sara Duterte attended the Senate plenary deliberation for the Office of the Vice President’s budget for the Year 2025, followed by a press conference held inside the Philippine Senate on 13 November 2024. (PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO)
He said that the OVP holds the second-highest position in the government, and that the vice president is not merely a ceremonial figure but a directly elected representative of the people.
The vice president, Sara Duterte, should not be relegated to the role of a “spare tire,” he said.
The General Appropriations Bill (GAP) presented a significant reduction in the OVP’s budget.
Go said the initial budget proposal for the OVP under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) was P2.026 billion. It was slashed by P1.3 billion, with only P733 million.
The majority of the proposed reduction is intended for the provision of various forms of assistance to those in need.
Go said the significant reduction sends a message regarding the value placed on the OVP’s services.
He said the cut would not only limit the OVP’s capabilities but also jeopardize several of its programs.
Among the programs discussed were the Magnegosyo Ta Day, the Educational, Medical, and Burial Assistance Program, and the Disaster Response Program.
Magnegosyo Ta Day provides grants and training to small business owners, particularly women, allowing them to sustain and grow their livelihoods.
The Educational, Medical, and Burial Assistance Program offers financial help to individuals and families facing critical needs, such as medical emergencies and educational expenses.
One of the most vital programs of the OVP, according to Go, is the Disaster Response Program. This program has been instrumental in providing relief during calamities, distributing relief packs, and other essential aid to stricken areas.
Go said that when a public office is meant to directly help the people, it should be supported, not hampered.
He reminded the Senate that times of crisis demand a government that deeply cares for its people.
