The Negros Occidental provincial government will implement the fourth tranche of salary increases for its more than 3,000 regular and casual employees in July 2023 even with the expected drop in its National Tax Allotment, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz assured on Wednesday, September 7.
The Capitol also granted the 3rd tranche of salary increases in July this year in compliance with the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, he said.
They will implement the salary increases despite the crunch because the economic problems are also shouldered by the provincial government employees, Diaz said.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson will give the provincial government employees what is due to them under the law, as well as additional benefits, he said.
Diaz said the “Libreng Sakay” program of the provincial government for its employees enables them to save about P2, 000 in transportation cost a month.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced that all LGUs will
face 14.47 percent NTA cuts in 2023 because of low tax collections at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The Negros Occidental provincial government’s 2023 NTA share will drop by P782,280,808, the DBM said.
Diaz said the provincial government will have to reduce its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses with the drop in its NTA.
But funds will be allocated for the flagship projects of the governor, which include food security, environment protection, and potable water for Negrenses, he said.
Funds will be allocated for essential projects and those that are not priorities will have to take a back seat until 2024 should financial conditions improve, he said.
The provincial government is also aiming to earn more from its economic enterprises to cover for its budget shortfall, he said.
The Negros Residences and the Negros Food Terminal at the North Capitol Road in Bacolod are already in full operation, Diaz said.*