PB sees a bright 2012

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board sees year 2012 as a bright year for barangays in the Province of Cebu under the leadership of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

This was expressed by assistant majority floor leader Board Member Joven Mondigo, Jr. of the 4th district, following the smooth passage of this year’s budget for Cebu province.

The PB approved the proposed P3.6 billion budget for Cebu province for 2012 last December 12 without any hitches.

“Aduna kita’y hayag ug daghan nga mga proyekto nga umaabot sa probinsya ubos sa landong ni Governor Gwen Garcia,” Mondigo said.

Mondigo said that while the board members are cooperative to the programs and projects of the administration, Garcia also poured in projects to their barangays.

“Nasayud ako nga daghan kaayo nga proyekto sama sa naandan, nga gipangapod-apod sa atong pinangga nga governor,” he further said.

Garcia submitted to the PB the P3.6 billion proposed budget for 2012, 18 percent higher than last year’s P3.01 billion.

The 2012 budget is the biggest in the province’s history.

Of the amount, P1.7 billion was allocated for social services; P1 billion for general services; and P791 million for economic services. The annual investment plan has P776 million while the general public services got P447.2 million.

The Office of the Vice Governor was allotted P38.3 million, which is 111 percent higher than last year’s budget while the PB has P97.5 million, 140 percent higher than last year’s appropriation.

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 programs; P170 million for airport, seaport, reclamation and other economic enterprise site development programs; and P40 million for the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and highways.

Other major appropriations include the P65 million for peace and order programs; P25 million for confidential and intelligence expenses programs; P17 million for 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 for million local disaster risk reduction and management fund (calamity fund); P98 million for Provincial Development Assistance Fund; P111 million for hospital and health supplies and equipments; P68 million PhilHealth program; and P28 million for roads and bridges maintenance.  (FREEMAN)