BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan is expected to approve the proposed P4.4 billion budget of the provincial government for 2021, when it resumes session today, Vice-Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said yesterday.
Ferrer, who is the SP presiding officer, said the proposed budgets of all Capitol departments had already been deliberated on by the SP Committee on Finance, chaired by Board Member Rommel Debulgado, since the second week of November.
He said the Finance Committee will render its report, and push for its approval on second reading. If there are no questions or concerns raised, then the budget will be approved for third and final reading, he added.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his letter to the SP, said that of the proposed general fund budget of P4,471,6895,065, P98 million will come from tax revenues, P380,357,719 from non-tax revenues, and P3,993,337,346 from the Internal Revenue Allotment share of the province.
Of the proposed 2021 budget, P1,641,424,244 was allocated for personal services, maintenance and other operating expenses – P1,374,658,871, capital outlay – P12,000,000, and special purpose appropriations – P1,443,611,950.
Ferrer said the SP will also deliberate on the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive for the 3,400 provincial government employees, after it was endorsed for SP approval by Lacson.
The Provincial Legal Office earlier approved the draft for the CNA between the provincial government and the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE).
While a maximum of P25,000 is allowed by law as CNA incentive, Ferrer said it will be still subject to the availability of funds from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses.
The MOOE covers travel and communication expenses, repairs and maintenance, transportation expenses, supplies and materials, advertising, printing and publication, and subscription.
Asked about the extra bonus, Ferrer advised Capitol employees to “think positive always.”
Capitol employees already received their 13th and 14th month pay, and a P5,000 cash gift.*GPB
