BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is proposing a P5,434,644,700 budget for 2024 — 5.66 percent higher than the P5.14 billion budget this year.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has forwarded the proposal to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and is currently awaiting approval.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the proposed budget would cover programs for food security, disaster response and preparedness, gender and development, and the agriculture sector, such as farm mechanization.
He added that digitalization efforts, especially at the different hospitals in the province for a smoother flow of information and services, and the repair of calamity-hit infrastructure are also priorities.
Lacson expressed that the increase in the proposed budget only signifies the provincial government’s continued commitment, adding that the six percent increase in the national tax allotment of the province is also good news.
On its part, the SP assured swift review and passage of the proposed budget. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN