Prov'l treasurer to SP: 'We have over P606.5M cold cash in the Capitol'
Over P606.5 million in cold cash are in the coffers of the Iloilo Provincial Government with another P58 million more expected by the end of this month.
As such, the Capitol is in very sound financial health with a total of P664 million spending money by month's end. This, a top official here disclosed as she expressed confidence that there is also more than enough provincial funds to pay all obligations.
So financially healthy, members of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) were told yesterday, that there is even a projected increase in the Capitol's income come December. Yet there is a catch for everything to run smoothly saying, "full support (specifically the financial aspect)" is further requested of the Legislative Branch." In particular of said support, the SP body was also asked, was for "revenue-generating projects such as construction of government center to be leased out to Non-Governmental Agencies, IT park and others."
Such and more formed part the official response of Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan as submitted to Vice Governor Rolex Suplico and all board members relative to an earlier request on the province's financial health.
Sullivan's response also carried the letter of Governor Niel Tupas Sr. that came with a message, "the data contained therein are substantial and sufficient to your requirements."
The Governor likewise added, "there is no need for the department heads to appear in the regular sessions of that honorable body."
Sullivan's much-awaited response totaled twenty pages with the questions as asked responded to point by point.
The Capitol's financial health came into view following the privilege speech of First District Board Member Richard Garin. The questions on the other hand were prepared ahead and furnished the office of the Provincial Treasurer. Some questions were not responded to though with Sullivan telling the SP body that the best person to ask is the Provincial Accountant.
Particular of the questions passed on Provincial Accountant Lyd Tupas was the query on the Capitol's total net worth and total asset. Yet other questions that needed the Provincial Accountant's data were also quoted by Sullivan such as the one on the provincial government's savings. Here Sullivan told the SP body that the Capitol's General Fund "as per trial balance of the Provincial Accountant's" has over P120 million while over P2.6 million is in the Special Education Fund.
Meantime a definite "yes" was also the reply of the Provincial Treasurer to the question raised on expected expenditure of the provincial government. At the rate of Capitol's spending, Sullivan said "the answer is definitely yes" on said expenditure increase courtesy of the 10% across the board salary.