ILOILO – The provincial government is proposing a P4,182,735,093 budget for 2023 – P176 million less than the P4,359,453,071 budget this year.
Here is the breakdown of the proposed budget:
* Personal services – P1,129,714,114
* Maintenance and other operating expenses – P1,481,965,199
* Capital outlay – P81,000,000
* Special purpose appropriation – P1,490,055,780
The proposed budget is based on the objective of the provincial government for the next three years – to achieve a “Movement for Resurgent, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient” or “MoReProGRes”, said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
“MoReProGRes” has the following specific goals:
* to increase investments and employment opportunities
* to attain food security
* to provide accessible health and social services
* to promote public safety
* to protect and manage the resources and assets of the province
* to provide effective, efficient and transparent government administrative service.
Defensor wants to maximize agricultural production for 2023 to create a value chain for agricultural products so that it can generate employment and business for agri-tourism.
The governor also aims to create growth areas that will serve as investment centers for information and communication technology and other similar industries.
“We want to create financially capacitated clientele for our service industries and commercial establishment,” he said.
“We want to develop a strong middle-class who are financially capacitated. So, in the budget, nagbutang kita sang capital outlay for agriculture, farm-to-market road and small scale irrigation projects. And we are willing to add if we can,” Defensor added.
Once the budget is approved, and with the help of the Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders, Defensor believes these visions will be realized.
The proposed 2023 budget is set for its second reading at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan./PN
