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The
Local Finance Office (LFC) of the Office of the Governor gave
yesterday the Sangguniang Panlalawigan a briefing on important
points of the proposed 2008 general fund budget to the tune
of PhP886,663,537.
The
LFC was in full force in the meeting held during the recess
of the SP session presided by Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera.
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LFC
chairman Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr. led his flock composed
of Provincial Treasurer Eustaquio Socorin, Provincial
Budget Officer Valer Orig, Provincial Accountant Joseth
J. Celocia, OIC provincial Planning officer lawyer John
Titus Vistal and assistant provincial treasurer Priming
Ontong, who is also consultant for finance of the governor's
office.
Herrera
earlier said that the SP aims to enact the proposed
2008 annual budget before January next year. He added
that he will convene the appropriations committee he
chaired on the first week of December to start the budget
hearings.
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Budget
hearing is important prior to approval of the annual outlay
because, as SP is vested with the power of the purse, it is
incumbent upon it to scrutinize the outlay. It is also an
opportunity of every head of office to defend or justify their
respective office budgets.
The
SP has already tackled the proposed budget on first reading
during its regular session last week. After which, it was
immediately referred to the appropriations committee, Herrera
said.
The
SP has taken note of the increase of the proposed budget by
P93,093,497 basing from the 2007 budget worth P793,570,040.
Gov.
Erico Aumentado, in his message after he submitted the proposal
to the SP, said that the annual budget aims to provide access
the people to all basic needs and services.
He
also pointed out that it also attempt to improve the organizational
and human resource capabilities and the investment climate
and environment and increase agricultural productivity.
Enhancing
tax collection, tax rates upgrading and upgrading hospital
fees/charges and revenue generation are among the priorities
of the budget, he added.
As
usual, the personnel services (salaries, wages) got the lion's
share amounting to P374,142,453, higher than this year's P355,394,042
or 44.78% hike.
To
keep the provincial operations sustained, the maintenance
and other operating expenses (MOOE) is pegged at P212,002,889,
much higher than P170,359,340 for 2007 or 21.47% increase.
The
proposed Non-Office allocation is hiked to P24,000,000 from
P21,500,000. But the Capital Outlay, which has an allocation
of P12,166,000 (for 2007), has been decreased to P10,434,000
for 2008.
Included
in the proposed budget are the budgetary requirements, such
as the 20% Development Fund of P160,084,769; and 5% Reserve
Fund (Calamity) and Aid to the Barangays in the amounts of
P43,519,692; and P5,545,000, respectively.
There
is a hefty increase of the 20% Development Fund in the amount
of P160,084,769 from this year's P145,750,000. This fund is
taken from the share of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).
Gender
and Development (GAD) also got a slight increase in the amount
of P29,207,740 from P29,026,440 while Inter-Government aid
had P5,487,606; Other Special Purpose, P5,460,000; and Un-remitted
payable to Bohol Light Compny, P5,460,000.
The
Provincial Government is largely relying on its share of IRA
from the national government. Next year's IRA is amounting
to P800,423,845 or some 90% of the total budget.
Only
a total of P69,970,000 as income is derived from local revenues/local
taxes, which is slightly higher than this year's P64,820,040.
The said amount (P69,970,000) includes tax revenue of P27,160,000;
Non-tax revenue, P30,660,000; and other receipts, P12,150,000.
(RVO)
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