The Office of the Vice President is still looking to build a permanent office, OVP chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez said Monday.
During the budget deliberation for the proposed P2.385 billion budget of the Office of the Vice President, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked the OVP whether it has plans to construct a permanent office.
"There is a plan. We are still under negotiations for land acquisition for the construction of our OVP permanent office," Lopez told the Senate Committee on Finance.
Asked if the budget for the construction of the permanent office of the OVP is included in the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Lopez reiterated that the OVP is still under negotiations for land acquisition.
"It's still in the pipeline because it's still undergoing negotiations as to the matter of land acquisition. We are considering sites for the said OVP building," she said.
"It is a planned project for the term of the Vice President," she added.
Vice President Sara Duterte, who physically attended the budget deliberation, previously vowed to erect a permanent office for the succeeding vice presidents of the country.
Last year, OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac said the move aims to "reduce cost in office operations."
Currently, the OVP, headed by Duterte, is leasing an office in Mandaluyong City.
The previous vice presidents of the country such as lawyers Leni Robredo and Jejomar Binay held office at the Quezon City Reception House and Coconut Palace, respectively.