SAN JOSE, Antique – The Provincial Board approved the P1.5-billion budget of the Antique provincial government in its regular session last Thursday.
The budget will be utilized for Personal Services (P593,252,886), Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (P572,106,941), Financial Expenses (P300,000), Capital Outlay (P77,413,800), and Statutory and Contractual Obligations and Budgetary Requirements (P304,939,936).
Board member Pio Jessielito Sumand on Friday said they approved the budget without major changes since “we know that the approval of the budget is already delayed.”
He said the Provincial Board agreed that the budget was an urgent matter after its inaugural session at Eagle’s Hotel in this capital town last July 4.
“Social services, infrastructure, economic and environment were allocated the biggest slice of the budget,” added Sumand.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, including the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation and financial assistance for the senior citizens, has been allocated with P10,000,000.
“The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources has been allocated P17 million to fund its several programs and projects,” said Sumand, chairman of the Board’s Committee on Environment.
The Governor’s Office General Services, which include the salaries of job orders, has been allocated with P200 million.
The new set of Board members approved the 2019 budget anew after the Department of Budget and Management returned it to the provincial government for review and to ensure that 20 percent of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) goes to development projects.
Provincial Information Officer Galileo Magbanua, in a separate interview, said the previous set of the Board members slashed a portion of the development projects. (With PNA/PN)
