The proposed P4.4 billion budget of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental for 2021 may be approved in two weeks, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer said today.
Ferrer, who attended the 4th Quarter Joint Meeting of the Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council at the Capitol Social Hall, disclosed that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will work on the early approval of the proposed budget.
Ferrer said they want to fast-track the procsssl since funds are badly needed to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
The SP Committee on Finance, chaired by Board Member Rommel Debulgado, has already started the budget deliberations.
Ferrer said they will only call on department heads with questionable budget proposals.
“If there is no question on the budget from SP members, the department head will no longer be invited to the hearing,” he added.
The proposed budget is up by more than P200 million, compared to the 2020 GAA.
The 2021 budget amounts to P4,471,695,065, with P1,641,424,244 allocated for personal services; maintenance and other operating expenses, P1,374,658,871; capital outlay, P12,000,000; and special purpose appropriations, P1,443,611,950.
The budget will be sourced out from the Internal Revenue Allotment share of P3,993,337,346; tax revenues, P98,000,000; and nontax revenues, P380,357,719. -GPB
