Defense for P1B Capitol budget up
Principal figures in the Iloilo Provincial Government are set for special appearances as discussions are officially scheduled to seal the fate of the over P1 billion in planned Executive Budget here for fiscal year 2008.
First to be called before members of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) are Capitol's provincial agriculturist, provincial veterinarian, provincial health officer, provincial environment and natural resources officer and the chief of the Registry of Deeds. The first batch is expected to defend respective budgets as earlier proposed and submitted for the consideration and approval of the SP body. Scheduled appearances are slated on December 3.
With numerous questions raised on the regularity of its planned expenditures, the province's Bantay-Dagat team will have a full day to defend its proposed budget on December 4. Succeeding days will see the sports officials and jail authorities of the province with budget defense of the Iloilo Sports Complex and the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center slated on December 5.
Other departments will follow depending on the outcome of the first set of invited Capitol officials.
The amount as proposed is some P114 million more from this year's initial Capitol expense fund then pegged at P973, 198,797.00. The increase will be in Personal Services expenditures and the Capitol's Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
Governor Niel Tupas in a letter sent to the 9th Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) has since sought "legislative consideration" and corresponding approval.
Total amount as stated is P1,087,843,625.00 broken down into P515,662,238.00 for Personal Services, MOOE of P294,634,280.00 and Capital Outlay of P44,950,000.00
This year's Capital Outlay was only at the P6.9 million mark or some P38 million for more next year.
Further still is 2008 budgetary requirements of over P176 million in Capitol's development fund, nearly P55 million in calamity fund and aid to barangay of P1.7 million.
At present, the Capitol is also on a P1.1 billion mark with the P973 million 2007 Executive Budget augmented by P138 million in supplemental budget. The latest P23.8 million supplemental budget still hangs though pending final nod of the SP body.