• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer yesterday said that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental is committed to approve the proposed P5.4 billion budget of the provincial government for 2024 “on time.”
The Negros Occidental SP is set to start deliberating the budget next week.
Ferrer said they are expecting to approve the budget by the first week of December, similar to the previous year’s timeline.
Heads of various Capitol departments and divisions are expected to explain their respective proposed budgets before the SP Finance committee, chaired by Board Member Rommel Debulgado.
The proposed budget, according to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, increased by five percent, compared to 2023.
Lacson also reported that the National Tax Allotment of the province increased by six percent. “This will mean more projects and programs for the people,” he added.
The NTA of Negros Occidental was increased by the national government from P4.6 billion to P4.9 billion this year.
Lacson also reported that income from local sources, such as local taxes and nontax revenues, also registered an increase of P10 million, from P329 million to P339 million.*
