House panel moves to cut OVP budget of Sara Duterte from P2.04-B to P733 million

Summary

The Committee on Appropriations has recommended a reduced budget for the Office of the Vice President, amounting to a cut of 1.293 billion pesos. This decision is not yet final and is subject to further amendments and approval by Congress. The proposed budget cut will be allocated to two significant social protection programs: the DSWD's Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations and the DOH's Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients. The committee's decision is based on discussions from recent hearings, and the budget process involves multiple stages, including Senate deliberations and the President's approval.

Takeaways

• 🔹 The Committee on Appropriations recommended a reduced budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
• 🔹 The budget reduction is proposed to be split between the DSWD AX Program and the DOH MAIP Program.
• 🔹 The decision was unanimous among the 139 members of the committee, but it is not yet a final approval by Congress.
• 📅 The approved committee report, including the budget reduction recommendation, was read last night.
• 🗓️ The schedule for plenary debates on the bill as amended is set to begin on September 16, aiming to approve the General Appropriations Bill by September 25.
• ✂️ The proposed budget for the OVP was 2.037 billion, but the committee recommended a reduced amount of 733,199.8 million, indicating a cut of 1.293 billion.
• 💼 The specific items affected by the reduction include financial assistance, professional services, utility expenses, supplies and materials, and lease expenses.
• 🏥 The DSWD AX Program provides assistance for individuals in crisis situations, while the DOH MAIP Program offers medical assistance for indigent patients.
• 🔄 There will be another round of amendments during the plenary debates from September 16 to September 25.
• 🏛️ The budget approval process involves multiple stages, including Senate deliberations, bicameral meetings, and potential presidential approval or veto.

Q & A

What decision was made by the Committee on Appropriations regarding the budget for the Office of the Vice President?

The Committee on Appropriations decided to recommend a reduced budget for the Office of the Vice President.

How many members are there in the Committee on Appropriations?

There are 139 members in the Committee on Appropriations.

Was the decision to reduce the budget unanimous among the committee members?

Yes, the decision to reduce the budget was a unanimous decision among the members of the committee.

What is the current status of the budget recommendation for the OVP?

The budget recommendation is not yet a final approval by Congress; it is currently a recommendation by the Committee on Appropriations.

When is the approved committee report with the budget recommendation expected to be discussed in plenary?

The approved committee report with the budget recommendation is expected to be discussed in plenary beginning September 16.

What is the proposed budget for the OVP by the DBM, and what is the recommended amount by the Committee on Appropriations?

The DBM proposed a budget of 2.037 billion for the OVP, while the Committee on Appropriations recommended exactly 733,1998 million, which means a cut of 1.2931559 billion.

How will the reduced budget be allocated to other agencies and programs?

The reduction will be split between the DSWD AX program and the DOH MAIP program, which are social protection programs for individuals in crisis situations and medical assistance for indigent patients, respectively.

What specific items in the OVP budget are affected by the cut?

The items affected by the cut include financial assistance, professional services, utility expenses, supplies and materials, and lease expenses.

What is the total amount of the cut and how is it distributed?

The total cut amounts to 1.293 billion, which will be allocated to the two programs mentioned earlier.

Are there any further steps in the budget approval process after the plenary debates?

Yes, after the plenary debates, the House version of the bill will be sent to the Senate for deliberations. Following Senate approval, there will be a bicameral meeting, ratification, and finally, the President's approval, which may include vetoes on a line-item basis.

What is the significance of the two hearings mentioned in the script?

The two hearings are significant as they informed the decisions made regarding the budget cuts, focusing on the specific items that were affected.