Guv finally gives nod to 2009 Capitol budget
Without prejudice to a pending case in Court, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. recalled an earlier Executive Order (EO) and issued a new one declaring 2009 Executive Budget operational.
The governor’s move came after the review made by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), approving over P1 billion in 2009 Capitol planned expenditures.
Contained in EO 051, Tupas made the order stating that operation of the Iloilo Provincial Government under the 2009 annual budget and that “henceforth, all disbursement of funds shall be in accordance therewith.”
To note, Tupas in January 5 of this year issued EO 001 declaring that the province shall operate on a reenacted 2008 annual and supplemental budgets.
The issuance of such, the governor then explained, was brought by the filing of petition for declaratory relief to declare Appropriation Ordinance No. 2008-05 null and void. The Governor’s decision was anchored on his stance that such was unconstitutional and illegal. Further still was the fact that the DBM then has yet to conclude its review.
“Whereas on 23 March 2009, the undersigned received DBM’s budget review as contained in the letter dated 20 March 2009 which declared Appropriation Ordinance No. 2008-05 as inoperative in part,” excerpts of EO 051 went.
The “inoperative” part disallowed some P55M i planned health workers’ pay and P1.1M casual employees’ ‘lumpsum.’
The rest of the over P1.1 billion planned expenditures passed DBM review with set of conditions, wrote DBM Director Nilo Buot..
The “aids to barangays,” the DBM has now officially reminded Tupas, shall be remitted to the city/municipalities concerned.
As such, the Capitol, DBM said, “...should recognize the authority of the local chief executive to execute the budget… the local chief executive is vested with the responsibility for the execution of and accountability for the annual budget.”
DBM also informed Provincial Government officials that development projects valued over P83 million under the Annual Investment Program (AIP) “should be itemized….”
Further still came the order, “…the Provincial Government shall comply with the herein review findings and notify this Department of the actions taken thereon. It is understood that this review action does not authorize any item of appropriation that is specifically prohibited by or inconsistent with the provisions of law. Compliance with all existing laws, rules and regulations shall be the responsibility of the implementing LGU.”