CEBU, Philippines — The Provincial Development Council (PDC) approved yesterday Cebu’s P14-billion Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2025.
Higher by P2 billion compared this year’s, the AIP, which serves as basis for the programs, projects, and activities that the provincial government would spend on next year, was unanimously approved during a PDC joint council meeting at the Capitol Social Hall.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia explained that the funding for the AIP has already been included in the Capitol’s proposed P25-billion annual budget for 2025, specifically, 56 percent of the total amount.
She said that for many years, Cebu Province’s development fund has always been more than the 20 percent National Tax Allotment (NTA) development fund required by the Department of Budget and Management for local government units.
“The usual misimpression is you are limited to 20 percent. Twenty percent is the minimum. You can go higher than that, we have been doing that for all these years,” the governor said.
She, however, said that the "drawback" of this development is the lack of urgency of the leaders and personnel in the province.
“We don’t have enough hearts around here; some are just moving for compliance and waiting for the next increase in salary,” the governor said.
Garcia noted, though, that a few have already started to take action and urged others to consider that many constituents are waiting for these projects, programs, and activities.
“I am happy nga naay uban, some of them...they are starting to move. But it’s hard to change a culture that has already grown barnacles,” Garcia said.
As the chairman of the council, Garcia also revealed that a new item was included in the 2025 AIP.
She identified it as the “Power Generation/Supply System and Electrification Program”, with an allocated amount of P1 billion, which came about following the power crisis in Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town.
“Some of you probably know the province had to step in to alleviate the power crisis in Malapascua Island. And now, it is the four brand new generators procured by the province that is supplying power since PSPI (supplier) has had a very dismal record of failing to supply on a 24/7 basis,” said Garcia.
To recall, she ordered last August 6 Garcia has ordered that Power Source Philippines Inc., (PSPI cease the operations of its power plant in Malapascua over reported violations of environmental regulations and issuances.
The Capitol then signed an agreement with Cebu Electric Cooperative (CEBECO) II to be the one to distribute power in Malapascua Island, with the Provincial Government as the power generator.
Garcia explained yesterday that having the budget for the new item is important, especially that maintaining the generators is expensive and needs to be properly managed.
The governor explained that the budget will not be allocated in an “Ayuda” program, as it would generate revenue by supplying fuel that will eventually benefit the province.
“This is going to be a sustainable effort of the Cebu Provincial Government in addressing the power crisis but at the same time being able to realize revenues from this,” said Garcia.
Meanwhile, Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas, who presented the proposed AIP yesterday, revealed that of the P14 million, P3.8 billion will also be allotted for the province’s health sector upgrade, which will include improvement of health facilities and acquisition of medical equipment for the 16 Capitol-run hospitals.
He said that another P3.5 billion will be for road and bridge infrastructure as well as for solar street lighting projects, while P3.3 billion will be for Capitol’s water system development program in the towns and cities.
He likewise said that P1.2 billion will be for the construction or improvement of buildings and other structures; P400 million for agricultural initiatives; P350 million for airport and seaport development; P200 million for drainage and flood control projects; P100 million for vehicle acquisition (like ambulances and emergency response units); and P150 million for development and restoration of cultural assets like parks and museums. — (FREEMAN)