ILOILO – Due to the slow action of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) appropriations committee, the provincial government is currently operating on a reenacted 2018 budget.
The budget hearing for the province’s proposed P3.7-billion budget for 2019 would end on March 1 yet, according to SP member Dorothy Paes, chairperson of the appropriations committee.
It was on Oct. 12, 2018 yet when Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. submitted to the SP the proposed budget.
In a timeline she bared, Paes set the following dates for the budget hearings:
* Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 – Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Public Employment and Services Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office, Provincial Governor’s Office (Administrative Services), Governors-Administrative Supports Service (Parks and Grounds), and Internal Audit Service
* Feb. 6, 7, and 8 – Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Human Resource Management and Development Office, Public Attorney’s Office, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, and Provincial Engineer’s Office
* Feb. 13, 14 and 15 – Provincial Accountant’s Office, Provincial Treasurer’s Office, Provincial Budget Office, Department of Interior and Local Government-Iloilo, Provincial Health Office, and Hospital Management Office
* Feb. 20, 21 and 22 – Provincial Auditor’s Office, Provincial Assessor’s Office, Information and Communication Technology Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Legal Office, and Bids and Awards Committee
* Feb. 27 to March 1 – Provincial Administrator’s Office, Provincial Task Force on Road Safety and Task Force on Overloading, San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Agriculture’s Office, Provincial Population Office, and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
After these budget hearings, Paes would be making a committee report to be submitted to the SP plenary for the first, second and third readings.
Paes is a barangay captain from Dumangas, Iloilo. As president of the provincial federation of the Liga ng mga Barangay, she sits as officio member in the SP.
Paes is a political ally of Cong. Ferjenel Biron, candidate for governor against Governor Defensor’s son, Cong. Arthur Defensor Jr./PN
