Garcia sets P3.6B budget for 2012

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has submitted to the Provincial Board the proposed annual budget for 2012 amounting to P3.6 billion.

The amount is 18 percent higher than last year’s P3.01 billion.

Almost half of the total amount is earmarked for social services amounting to P1.77 billion; P1.1 billion for general public services and P791.6 million for economic enterprises.

Garcia said that the more than P3 billion budget is a distinction shared by no other province nationwide. She said the province has consistently shown its independence from Internal Revenue Allotment share, contributing 44 percent only of the required funding sources.

“It affirms this administration’s philosophy in achieving total fiscal independence by continuing in engaging economic enterprises to widen income base,” Garcia said in her budget message.

Under the General Public Services, the office of the governor appropriated P447.2 million; P38.3 million for the vice governor, which is 111 percent higher than last year and P97.5 million for the Provincial Board, which is 140 percent higher than last year.

Another appropriation of P198.2 million for office of the governor under the social services and under the economic services, another P190.6 million for the office of the governor, P23 million for the vice governor and P75 million for the SP which is P5 million each of the 15 board members.

Budgets for major development projects next year include P160 million for the construction, rehabilitation, furnishing and maintenance of hospitals and birthing centers; P256 million for water supply development program; P170 million for airport, seaport, reclamation and other economic enterprise site development program; and P40 million for the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and highways.

Other major appropriations include the P65 million for the peace and order program; P25 million confidential and intelligence expenses program; P17 million college scholarship grants; P30 million for the expanded green and wholesome environment that nurtures program; the five percent lump sum in the amount of P98.6 million local disaster risk reduction and management fund (calamity fund); P98 million Provincial Development Assistance Fund; P111 million for hospital and health supplies and equipments; P68 million Philhealth program; and P28 million roads and bridges maintenance.

Garcia said the proposed budget espouses the judicious application of resources, bearing her principle in governance that a budget must be an approximation of the people’s hopes and aspirations, beyond theoretical presentation.

“This reflects the new age of politics, the new age of governance that we believe has dawned upon this great, indivisible and united ‘Province of Cebu’,” she added.

The Provincial Board is set to look into the proposed budget next week.- (THE FREEMAN)