- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental approved on third and final reading Dec. 6 the P5.14 billion 2023 budget of the provincial government, with P4.95 billion earmarked as General Fund, and P190 million for the operation of the Economic Enterprise Development Department.
Board Member Rommel Debulgado, chairperson of the SP Committee on Finance, presented the proposed budget for second reading and discussion during the regular session presided over by Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, then moved to have it approved on final reading.
Of the annual budget, P1.83 billion is allotted for Personnel Services (PS), P1.2 billion for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, and P1.90 billion as Special Project Appropriation.
Debulgado said the province’s share from the National Tax Allotment (NTA) for 2023 decreased by 14.47 percent.
“It’s naturally disheartening but considering our resiliency and resolve, we shall continue to thrive and make the best of what resources we have,” he added, noting that practically all local government units have a decrease of 14.47 percent in their NTA shares.
But Debulgado said the province’s 2023 budget supports the national government’s call for austerity and fiscal reforms, so as to maximize resources without depriving Negrenses of basic services and facilities due them.
He earlier said that compared to this year’s budget, the 2023 allotment is lower by 12.87 percent, equivalent to about P766 million, due to the reduction in the NTA.
Debulgado said at the session Tuesday that due to the NTA cut, there is a 35 percent across-the-board decrease in the PS allotment for 2023.
Meanwhile, the SP also approved the 2022 General Fund Supplemental Budget #3, amounting to P86 million, and certified urgent by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Debulgado said that of the supplemental budget mostly sourced from savings, P75 million is earmarked for special projects, and for the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) Incentive of Capitol employees./CGC
