Rep. Teves shows imbalance of funding allocation in Reg. 7

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Representative Pryde Henry Teves (3rd district, Negros Oriental) presented data that would prove the imbalance in the distribution of financial resources among provinces in Region 7 (Central Visayas).

Teves first showed that, in terms of percentage on the land area, Negros Oriental is the biggest with 36 percent of the land area of Region 7, followed by Cebu with 32 percent, Bohol with 28 percent and Siquijor with 2.3 percent.

Based on this factor, among others, the internal revenue allotment sharing should be 27.7 percent is for Negros Oriental, 39 percent for Cebu, 29 percent for Bohol and 7.7 percent for Siquijor.

However, in the 2009 to 2012 budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways, Negros Oriental only got P3 billion, Siquijor P1 billion and Bohol P3 billion. “This means that Negros Oriental only got 18 percent instead of the 27.7 percent,” said Teves.

For regional allocations for hospitals, Cebu got P1.78 billion, Bohol had P643 million, while Siquijor and Negros got zero budget. “This can be explained, however, because Siquijor and Negros Oriental don’t have regional hospitals,” he said.

To improve the ports and airports for industries to flourish, Teves said Negros Oriental got P43 million, Siquijor had P20 million, Cebu got P704 million and Bohol P1.5 billion.

“Negros Oriental only had 2 percent of the share when we should be getting 27.7 percent,” said the congressman, adding that the even the province’ share of foreign-assisted projects, like in irrigation, “the figures would break our hearts.”  he quipped.

Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he was surprised to see records from the National Statistical Coordination Board that placed Negros Oriental at No. 9 slot among the poorest 85 provinces all over the country.

Siquijor ranked 48th and Negros Occidental is at 44th, Bohol at 30th and Cebu at 50th, said Du.