Sangguniang Panlalawigan Approves P348M Supplemental Budget

The Sanggunian Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental approved during its regular session on Tuesday, April 25, Supplemental Budget No. 2 amounting to P348,392,739.41.

The request for the passage of the supplemental budget was certified as “urgent” by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Based on documents obtained by media, the supplemental budget was sourced from accumulated surplus as of December 31 ,2022 worth P301,400,109.71; 20 percent development fund of 2022 at P90,193,536.15; and from the budget of the African Swine Fever Task Force at P500,000.

Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator, said today that after the approval of the supplemental budget there is an un-appropriated balance amounting to P43,700,906.

All funds of the different departments, offices, projects and programs of the provincial government that were not utilized last year were reverted back to the general fund for re-appropriation, he said.
“We’ll put it where it is really needed,” he pointed out.

He said that Supplemental Budget No.2 will return the remaining 70 percent of the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the different departments and offices of the provincial government.

Last year, the Capitol implemented cost-cutting measures to cope with the P700 million cut from its National Tax Allotment (NTA).

The cost cutting measures covered travel and seminars, purchase of supplies and electricity consumption, among others.° (EYA)