The Senate finance committee on Monday gave the office of Vice President Leni Robredo an additional P20 million to bankroll her “Angat Buhay” program, a nationwide anti-poverty program that aims to complement the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer system.
In just five minutes, the committee chaired by Senator Loren Legarda approved the P443.95-million budget proposed by the Office of the Vice President for next year.
During the deliberations, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III pushed for the approval of P20 million more for the OVP.
“I was informed that the OVP has a program called Angat Buhay program, it’s a nationwide anti-poverty program. May we know how much [is the] budget for that particular program?” asked Sotto.
Legarda said Robredo did not submit a proposed budget for the program, but added that she would “be happy to amend” the budget by inserting a specific line item —which Sotto welcomed.
“That was what I was thinking. So P20 million would be enough?” Sotto said.
“Yes, Mr. President, an earmarked line item, an MOOE [Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses] for the Angat Buhay program for the OVP,” Legarda said.
Legarda said she will be “happy” to amend the OVP’s budget to fund the Angat Buhay program, since the Vice President goes around the country.
Robredo, who attended the budget deliberations at the Senate, welcomed the move to fund the program, which is implemented in 153 sites nationwide.
She said the additional fund would be of great help to her office’s program, which is presently funded through partnerships with private sectors.
She said Angat Buhay has six pillars—food security, nutrition, housing, rural development, women empowerment, and education.
With the P20 million, she said the OVP can now spend for the program itself. At present, she said they can only spend for the operations.
“We rely on private partnerships. Even if it’s just a small amount, it will be a big help for us because we won’t be totally dependent on the private sector anymore,” she added.