OVP Seeks Same Budget for 2026, Says DBM Approved ₱903.6 Million

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed that it has requested the same budget for 2026 as it received this year.

OVP Spokesperson Atty. Ruth Castelo said the agency originally asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for ₱733 million, but the amount was adjusted to account for personnel expenses and inflation. The DBM later approved ₱903.6 million.

“We only added funds for personnel and inflation because ₱733 million today would no longer be enough next year. The final amount approved by DBM is ₱903.6 million,” Castelo explained in an interview with Abante Radyo’s Inboxprogram.

She noted that the budget will support new OVP programs aimed at public welfare, including the Disaster Operation Center, Libreng Sakay (Free Rides) from Monday to Saturday, A Million Learners and Trees, and You Can Be VP.

“These are augmentations or complements to existing programs of other government agencies. We have different initiatives that will directly benefit the general public,” Castelo said.

The spokesperson also clarified that the OVP no longer has a medical assistance fund. She said that while many continue to request help, the previous program only provided up to ₱8,000 per beneficiary.

Castelo declined to confirm whether Vice President Sara Duterte will attend the upcoming budget hearings in Congress, scheduled at the House of Representatives on September 12 and in the Senate on September 15. She said the hearings are part of Duterte’s official calendar but noted that the Vice President already has prior commitments.