• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is targeting to approve the provincial government’s proposed P8.52-billion budget for 2027 by Dec. 1.
First District Board Member Marxlen de la Cruz, chairperson of the SP committee on Finance, said on Wednesday, Oct. 21 the board members have agreed on a schedule of meetings with the department heads.
He added these will be held over four days in November to review the proposed budget and complete the deliberations ahead of the target approval date.
The schedule includes the third Friday of November and the last Thursday and Friday of the month, with the remaining meeting date to be part of the agreed timetable.
“If everything is completed as scheduled, we are looking forward to approving the 2027 budget by Dec. 1,” De la Cruz said, noting that the target was agreed upon by the board members.
The provincial government has proposed a total budget of P8.519 billion for 2027, with an increase of P900.09 million or 11.81 percent, from the P7.618-billion budget for 2026.
The proposed appropriation consists of P8.203 billion for the General Fund Proper and P315.55 million for the Economic Enterprise Development Department, a special account under the General Fund.
The proposed budget is intended to support essential public services and priority programs in agriculture and food security, infrastructure development, economic growth, trade, investment and employment. It also covers public health, environmental management, tourism, education, culture, sports, information and communications technology, good governance and human development.
In his budget message, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the proposed appropriations reflect the provincial government’s commitment to responsible governance, guided by its seven-point development agenda and the prudent use of public resources.
He also stressed the importance of setting clear priorities and carefully managing available funds amid the government’s expanding responsibilities and the continuing needs of Negrenses. | GPB
