Metro Manila, CNN Philippines — The Senate finance committee on Wednesday approved the proposed ₱10.7-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) in just 20 minutes.
“There [are] no callings that means I think they have a vote of confidence in your budget, so we will favorably endorse your budget for plenary consideration,” Senator Sonny Angara said during the deliberations
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who presented the OP’s budget, said its department believes the proposed allocation would be enough for the president to meet the demands as head of government.
“We crafted this budget within the parameters and processes set by the DBM from which we sought no special treatment,” Bersamin said.
Amante Liberato, the deputy executive secretary for finance and administration of the OP, said the proposed budget allocates ₱1.676 billion for capital outlay, ₱1.284 billion for personnel services, inclusive Retirement and Life Insurance Premiums (RLIP) and pensions, and ₱7.746 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
Included in the approved allocation is the proposed ₱834.3 million budget of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), with ₱232.8 million intended for personnel services, ₱545.7 million for MOOE, and ₱34.3 million for capital outlay.
Asec. Zhielah Gatchalian said the proposed budget for PMS is 47.64% lower than that of last year.
