By Mario M. Banzon

THE proposed P443.9-million budget for the Office of the Vice-President (OVP) sailed through the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

Presented by Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo to committee chair Loren B. Legarda, the proposed budget focuses on anti-poverty projects and health-care programs.

Ms. Robredo presented three goals: Improved health and nutrition of mothers and children under 5 years of age, improved income for families living below the poverty threshold and improved access inclusive and equitable education.

Ms. Robredo also specified in her presentation that she is supporting the administration’s anti-poverty efforts by “pushing advocacies that are focused on six thematic areas.” Included are livelihood and jobs; education; women empowerment; housing and resettlement; universal healthcare; and food security and nutrition.

P83,577,000 is allocated to personnel services, P349,029,000 to maintenance and other operating expenses, and P11,340,000 to capital outlay. The budget slightly increased from P428,618,000 in 2017 to P443,946,000 in 2018.

The budget for the OVP is the third to be approved by the committee after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Office of the President. Currently, only the proposed 2018 budget for the Department of Justice awaits further deliberation.

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