The News Today Online

Balance between tight budget and people's needs, says Tupas of 2006 budget

By Florence F. Hibionada

The forthcoming year under the administration of Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. will see at least a million more in donations, a million more in subsidy to local government units (LGU), about a million still for office and equipment repair and maintenance and the P1 million still for gasoline, oil and lubricant expense.

While at it, P.8 million was also set aside for expected repairs of vehicles being used by the Governor's Office (GO).

With over P33 million in total allocation under the 2006 Executive Budget, the GO with 17 personnel including Governor Tupas himself is expected to work on almost the same appropriations of the current year's Executive Budget.

As such, Tupas keeps his consultants for yet another year with budget expense of over P1.3 million, travelling expenses of P.8 million, P.6 million in Representation expense, P.5 million in office supplies expense, drugs and medicines at P300,000.

The Iloilo Provincial Government will also cover the Governor's office cellular phone bills of P150,000 and another P100,000 for the cable, satellite, telegraph and radio expenses.

A quarter of a million has been set aside for membership dues and contributions to organizations and P.7 million for advertising expenses. From the current year's P3.5 million subsidy to LGUs, the expenditure will now be P4.5 million in 2006.

Not to be forgotten, P500,000 in sure donations are up to non-government organizations and private organizations recognized by the Capitol.

Same amount at P500,000 is also up as the Governor's intelligence expenses yet it was to be “donations” that would top the objects of expenditures at P6.4 million. There will also be over P300,000 more of “extraordinary expense” for next year as the Governor's Office pegged such at P1,353,490 as compared to this year's P986,737.

“This year, despite the trim budget that have gone through many rounds of cuts, we have got to be aware how to balance between the very tight budget and the needs of our people. As a leader, I have to demonstrate toughness on how to tackle such and every problems recognized. To ease the toll, I have to offer solid ideas for rebuilding and work harder for there is nothing more satisfying than achieving each and every dream of our people,” Tupas wrote of his Budget Message. “As your Governor, I enjoin each and everyone to courageously rally behind me in realizing all the program priorities I laid down for this fiscal year.”