200 workers may lose jobs over P1.3-B budget cut – Duterte

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday that around 200 contract-of-service personnel would lose their jobs if Congress maintains its decision to cut P1.3 billion from her office’s budget.

“Meron kasi kaming mga OVP (Office of the Vice President) personnel na yung charges nila nakita namin na natanggal yung budget source nila natanggal. So meron talagang mga OVP personnel, particularly sa satellite offices na mawawalan ng trabaho,” Duterte told Senate reporters in a press conference.

[Translation: We have OVP personnel whose budget sources have been removed. So some OVP personnel, particularly in the satellite offices, will indeed lose their jobs.]

According to the OVP website, it has 10 satellite offices and two extension offices nationwide to bring social services closer to beneficiaries.

During the Senate plenary deliberations on the OVP budget for next year, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, an ally of Duterte, appealed for the restoration of the P1.3-billion budget cut, or at least part of it, for the office’s social services.

Senate finance committee chairperson Grace Poe responded that Go could propose amendments for the body’s consideration. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, another Duterte ally, moved to approve the OVP budget, and there were no objections.

Poe explained to reporters that this means the OVP budget remains at P733 million, as outlined in the Senate committee report, which adopted the House-approved General Appropriations Bill, though it is still subject to change.

“Senator Bato and Senator Bong Go are free to stand and propose that amendment. Of course, I'm only the chairperson, and it will also depend on the body’s approval,” Poe said.

She added that approximately P600 million remains allocated for the OVP social programs, and they are awaiting the OVP submission detailing which other programs may require more funding.

Duterte thanked the Senate for swiftly approving her office’s budget and for its openness to a funding increase. She added she has no further requests and deferred to Congress on the final amount.