The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental unanimously approved on third and final reading the proposed P4,471,695,065 general fund of the provincial government for 2021 during its regular session Tuesday, Nov. 24.
The Sanggunian, at the same time, also passed the P128,073,521 budget for next year of the Economic Enterprise Development Department.
Based on the Department of Budget and Management guidelines, the EEDD budget is separately approved from the general fund as its allocation is based on the five-year business plan concurred by the governor and the SP.
The passage of both budgets for the general fund and the EEDD was sponsored by SP Member Rommel Debulgado, chair of the Sanggunian Committee on Finance.
It was concurred by all members of the provincial board present without any question.
Debulgado said of the total general fund for next year, Personal Services get P1,641,424,244; Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, P1,374,658, 871; Capital Outlay, P12 million and Special Purpose Appropriations, P1,143,611,950.
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer stressed the need for the early approval of the budget as funds are needed in the fight against COVID-19.
Debulgado said that allocation for the PS or Personal Services accounts for 36.71 percent of the P4.4 billion total budget for 2021, which includes payment for the first trance of salary increases of Capitol employees as mandated under the Salary Standardization Law, Productivity Enhancement Incentives, overtime and granting of step increment due to promotion. – GB
