Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said on Thursday 10 government agencies under the Office of the President (OP) will receive zero budget and will be abolished because of a duplication of their functions with other offices. The OP expects to save P304.62 million with the abolition of the:
Mindanao Development Council; Office of the North Luzon Quadrangle Area; Office of External Affairs; Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC); Minerals Development Council; Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group; Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region; Bicol River Basin Watershed Management Project; Office of the Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change, and Office of the Presidential Adviser on New Government Centers. Ochoa said the abolition of the 10 offices was in support of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s efforts to streamline the operations of the Executive Department. “Our philosophy is to streamline the operations of the Office of the President so we can cut unnecessary spending and use our resources where they are needed most," Ochoa told the House committee on appropriations hearing the OP’s P4.075 billion proposed 2011 budget. “The President wants to lead by example. He cannot ask other agencies to cut costs if his own office is not prudent in the use of the people’s money," Ochoa added. New government agencies On the other hand, the agencies that will be funded by Malacañang include two newly-created offices: the Philippine Truth Commission, headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, headed by Secretary Ricky Carandang. The OP will also maintain these existing agencies: the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process; Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC); Presidential Visiting Forces Agreement Commission; Commission on Information and Communications Technology; EDSA People Power Commission, and the Commission on Maritime Affairs. Slashed budget for 2011 Ochoa said the P2.64 billion budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) this year has been slashed by 6.2% to P2.48 billion in 2011. The budget for personal services has been slightly reduced — from P1.58 billion this year to P1.57 next year, despite the implementation of the second tranche of salary increases. He added that the funds for professional services or consultancies have been cut by P152.7 million — from P390.8 million in 2010 to P238.1 million next year. Carandang’s office will be sourcing its fund from the confidential and intelligence fund of the PAOCC which was cut by P200 million for the purpose. –VVP, GMANews.TV 
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