The PHP2.037-billion proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is already “deemed submitted to plenary” after being approved in Senate panel deliberations on Tuesday.

Senators, who expressed their support for the proposed budget, thanked Vice President Sara Z. Duterte for implementing various programs that are needed by most Filipinos.

“Marami po ang umaasa sa mga programang inyong ipinatutupad at dahil dito ay patuloy naming susuportahan ang pagbibigay ng sapat na pondo upang maipagpatuloy ninyo ang mga ito at makatulong sa mas marami pa nating mga kababayan (A lot of people depend on the programs you are implementing and because of this, we will continue to support providing sufficient funds so that you can continue them and help more of our countrymen),” Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada told Duterte who personally attended the deliberation.

The OVP is set to implement two more programs next year which include the “Educational Assistance Program” and the “Wheelchair Program” which Estrada sees will benefit more Filipinos.

For Senate Majority Francis Tolentino, the OVP’s proposed budget proves how a government office can maximize its services even with the limited budget.

“I think the limited budget of the Office of the Vice President is an illustration that budgetary restraint should not serve as limitation in performing, but should inspire other government offices to be more innovative and have more initiative,” Tolentino said.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa agreed with Tolentino, saying the OVP can only do so much with its annual budget, but “it has set a good example to other government offices and agencies in maximizing funds.”

When asked by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano what else can senators do to help OVP, Duterte said her office is already content with the proposed budget.

“We are already okay with the approved proposed budget in the NEP (National Expenditure Program) from the Department of Budget and Management and we leave it up to the members of Congress to decide on the budget,” Duterte said.

The proposed budget will allow OVP to continue operating its satellite and extension offices, as well as the expansion of its social services like the “Libreng Sakay (Free ride)” Program, Disaster Relief Operations, Pagbabago: A million Learners and Trees Campaign, Pansarap Project, Relief for Individuals in Crisis and Emergencies Program, MagNegosyo Ta ‘Day Program, and You can be VP Program. (PNA)