BACOLOD City – The 2024 budget of Negros Occidental, amounting to P5.4 billion, has been unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
The new budget, 5.66 percent higher than the 2023 budget of P5.1 billion, comprises P5.2 billion for the General Fund Proper and P190 million allocated to the Economic Enterprise Development Department.
This increase is attributed to a rise in the National Tax Allotment share received by the province.
According to Provincial Board member Rommel Debulgado, chairperson of the SP’s finance committee, the budget will support the continuation of various projects under the Abanse Negrense Agenda, an initiative led by Gov. Eugenio Lacson.
Lacson, in October, remarked that the 2024 budget reflects the provincial government’s commitment to overcoming challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also noted the significant progress made in agriculture, industry, and commerce in Negros Occidental, signaling a robust recovery from the pandemic’s effects./PN