• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The proposed P5.434 million budget of the provincial government of Negros Occidental for 2024 is now up for deliberation and scrutiny of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The executive department submitted the proposal to the provincial board on Oct. 11.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the proposed budget for 2024 is higher compared to this year’s P5.1 billion.
“The increase is a product of the hard work and sacrifice of the provincial government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
Lacson said that Negros Occidental has recovered from the pandemic in terms of agricultural, industrial and commercial businesses.
He also reported that the National Tax Allotment (NTA) share of the province increased by six percent.
“This will mean more projects and programs for the people,” Lacson said.
The NTA share of Negros Occidental was increased by the national government from P4.6 billion in 2022 to P4.9 billion this year.
Lacson also reported that income from local sources such as local taxes and non-tax revenues also registered an increase of P10 million, from P329 million to P339 million. | GB
