Key priority areas get bigger allocation -- Andaya
Some P24.7 billion is allotted for infrastructure development this year, said Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya. In region 6, the priority areas identified with ongoing and in the pipeline infrastructure projects are in Panay and in Negros Occidental.
Andaya who led the Economic Team during the Philippine Economic Briefing held in this city disclosed the other priority areas are education with P8.4 billion and healthcare with P4.2 billion.
Andaya said the budget allocation for these key priority areas increased as compared to the levels in 2007.
The third leg of the Economic Briefing gathered more than 200 participants from various sectors in Western Visayas. Participants were officials and representatives from national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, business and media.
With the theme "Defying Gravity, Rising Steadily", topics discussed by the economic managers include: developments in the external and monetary sectors by Bangko Sentral Director Antonio Cintura; exports and investments by Department of Trade and Industry 6 Regional Director Dominic Abad; agriculture sector by Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jesus Emmanuel Paras; energy and power sectors by Energy Assistant Secretary Leonilo Lariosa; fiscal sector by Department of Finance Director Teresa Habitan.
During the briefing, National Economic Development Authority 6 Regional Director Arturo Valero also reported that the region had a good economic performance last year citing several indicators. He also revealed the different ongoing and in the pipeline projects in the region expected to boost further its economy.
Organized by the Investors Relations Office of the Philippine government, the next stops of the Economic Team's Domestic Roadshow will be in Naga and Clark. (PIA)