Neg Occ. PB okays P2.6B budget for 2015

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Without any more questions, the Negros Occidental Provincial Board on Wednesday unanimously approved the proposed P2.637 billion budget for 2015.

PB Member Salvador Escalante Jr., chair of committee on finance, budget and appropriations, pushed for the se-cond, third and final reading of the budget after the Provincial Development Council submitted the itemized report of the P470-million 20-percent development fund, the P83-million gender and development fund, and the P50-million peace and order fund, which was earlier asked by Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

The approved budget, according to the committee report, has a total appropriation of P2,429,500 for the general fund and P883,697,906 for the economic enterprise development department.

Under the general fund, the total expenditure for personal services is more than P603.5 million; maintenance and other operating expenses (more than P424 million); and special appropriations (over P1.4 billion).

The budget will be sourced out from the P2.34-billion internal revenue allotment and P89.2 million in local income.

In the 2015 budget, the Governor’s Office has the highest allocation with over P126.67 million, followed by the Agriculturist’s Office (more than P83.25 million); PB (over P64 million); Provincial Health Office (P57.68 million); and the Provincial Veterinarian (P54.29 million).

Lacson said the 2015 budget will never be sufficient but it would meet the minimum target set by Go-vernor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Also, the PB approved the 20-percent development fund, P162 million of which will be earmarked by the provincial government as payment to loans with the Philippine National Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines. (FREEMAN)