THE present provincial government of Bohol has earmarked a total of P4,019,152,819.00 as its annual budget for 2024, based on the budget message of Gov. Aris Aumentado.
Under the said budget proposal that is being initiated by the executive office, the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) got the lion’s share of P1,212,747,565.57 and followed by personal services (salaries and wages), P1,147,448,625.52.
Programs and projects of the offices have an allocation of P837,331,075.86; Capital Outlay, P59,326,880.55; Aid to Barangays and Non-office, P44,310,332.00; and 5% Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (calamity fund), P178,278,251.90; and DRRM trust fund, P13 million.
The 20% development fund, which is equivalent to 20% of the total National Tax Allocation or NTA (formerly Internal Revenue Allotment or IRA), is pegged at P598,710,087.60.
The provincial government still relied heavily on NTA to the tune of P2,993,550,438.00 as its main fund source.
The biggest of the fund sources, aside from the NTA, is the Operating and Miscellaneous Revenues, P479,215,300.00 and the beginning balance amounted to P317,497,451.00 also one its sources.
Other sources include the following: real property tax, P67 million; tax on goods and services, P40,650,000.00; extra ordinary receipts, P39.2 million; other receipts, P63,800,000.00; capital investment receipts, P5 million; share from national wealth & PCSO Lotto, P1.7 million; reverted unexpended balances, P70,239,630.00; and DRRM fund (trust fund), P13 million.
This budget proposal, the governor said, “will enable our provincial government to continue to serve or constituents as we pursue our set development aspirations.”
The governor, in his budget message, has set the goals and objectives of the annual budget under the development framework and the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP): to create jobs and livelihood; to improve of scope of quality of health/social services; to ensure agriculture productivity/food security; to develop right infrastructure for power and water supply, road; to institute governance reform for promotion of transparency and accountability; and to enhance trade and industry.
To promote eco-cultural tourism and geopark; to expand effective education services; to preserve and promote Boholano heritage; to protect and manage the environment; to maintain peace and order; to promote youth empowerment/sports development; to improve public financial management; to utilize resources; to reduce poverty incidence and to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience. (rvo)
SP INITIATED BUDGET – VG
The appropriations committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan chaired by Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor A. Balite started the budget hearing of the Gov. Aris Aumentado’s administration proposed budget to the tune of P4,019,152,819.00 to make the provincial government running.
What could be described as a marathon budget hearing which has been started the other week, except for last week since the officials are on official business to Manila.
The budget hearing is a regular function of the provincial board, particularly the said committee, to scrutinize every centavo of the fund being allocated for every program, project and activity to be pursued for the general welfare of the Boholanos.
There will be a scheduled budget hearing on November 20 at 9:00 in the morning for the Office of the Governance, Accountability and Review (OGAR), Provincial Assessor’s Office (Passo). Bohol Environment and management Office (BEMO), Bohol Mineral resources Regulatory Office (BMINRO) and Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO).
On the same day at 1:30 in the afternoon, the Bool Economic Development and Investment Office, Bohol Information and Communication Technology Unit (BICTU), Education Center, Center for Culture and the Arts Development (CCAD), Provincial Youth Development Council and Provincial Cooperative Development Office will defend its respective budget.
On November 22, 2023, at 9:00 in the morning it would be the turn of Provincial General Services Office (PGSO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Bohol Provincial Tourism Office and Bohol District Jail and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO).
The SP, Vice Governor’s Office, Secretariat and the Provincial Library, Provincial Economic Enterprise management Office, Provincial Information and Media Office (PIMO) and Provincial Administrator’s Office will be at 1:30 in the afternoon.
The Vice-Governor’s office hopes that the budget hearing would be on target schedule to complete its task before the year ends. (rvo)
