FINAL BUDGET. The Antique Provincial Board approves the PHP1.5-billion budget of the province during its regular session on Thursday (July 11, 2019). The previously approved budget was returned by the Department of Budget and Management after the requirement that the 20 percent budget from Internal Revenue Allotment should go to development projects was not met. (PNA photo by Annabel J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The provincial board stamped its approval to the PHP1.5 billion budget of the Antique provincial government during its regular session on Thursday.
The more than 1 billion budget will be utilized for Personal Services, which was allocated PHP593,252,886; Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures, PHP572,106,941; Financial Expenses, PHP300,000; Capital Outlay, PHP77,413,800; and Statutory and Contractual Obligations and Budgetary Requirements with PHP304,939,936.
Board Member Pio Jessielito Sumand, in an interview 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 immediately tackled the budget as an urgent matter right after its inaugural session at the Eagle’s Hotel in San Jose de Buenavista last July 4.
“Social services, infrastructure, economic and environment were allocated the biggest slice of the budget,” he said.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, including the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation and financial assistance for the senior citizens, has also been allocated with PHP10,000,000.
“The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources has been allocated PHP17 million to fund its several programs and projects,” he said.
He said as the committee on environment chairman, he is glad that PHP17 million has been allocated for the environmental programs and projects.
The Governor’s Office General Services, which include the salaries of the job orders, has also been given PHP200 million.
The new set of board members approved the 2019 budget anew after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) returned it to the provincial government for review and ensure that 20 percent of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) goes to development projects.
Antique Provincial Information Officer Galileo Magbanua, in a separate interview, said the previous set of the board members slashed a portion of the development projects. (PNA)
