The Negros Occidental Provincial Development Council approved the P1.3 billion 20 percent Development Fund for 2026 at its third quarter meeting at Nature’s Village Resorts in Talisay City on Thursday, Sept. 11.
The meeting was presided by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Of the P1,340,500,000 development fund P386 million has been allocated for the province’s loan amortization and P954.5 million for development projects and activities.
The following is the breakdown of the allocations:
Office of the Governor – P110,000,000 for support to priority development programs/projects of local government units and non-government organizations.
Office of the Provincial Administrator – P225,000,000 for the following projects:
· Establishment of Regional Center at Talisay City, Neg. Occ. – P50,000,000;
· Digitalization/Development of MIS/Apps and Portals for interconnectivity – P5,000,000;
· Improvement/upgrading, and/or expansion of provincial government facilities, hospitals, and other structures – P140,000,000; and
· Provincial Integrated Safe Water Program – P30,000.
Provincial Health Office – P50,000,000 for the acquisition of equipment and medical supplies, upgrading of medical and other hospital equipment, and infrastructure support.
Provincial Environment Management Office – P32,000,000 for the following projects:
· Integrated management and development of critical habitat and biodiversity conservation programs – P3,000,000;
· Continuing support to Barangay Kapitolyo Solid Waste Management Program – P2,000,000;
· Coastal Ecosystems Management Program – P3,000,000;
· Sustainable Management and Development of Integrated Social Forestry – P4,000,000;
· Support to the 7th RAMSAR Site and other wetlands conservation management projects – P4,500,000;
· Watershed Management and Development Program – P3,000,000;
· Support to compliance of RA 9003 “Solid Waste Management Act” – P3,500,000;
· Cave Resource Risk Mitigation Program – P1,500,000;
· Support for establishment of local conservation areas – P500,000;
· Support to Urban Forestry Program – Building Opportunities for New Green Spaces (BONG) – P3,800,000; and
· Enhancement of enforcement of Provincial Mining Ordinance and strengthening of partnerships/linkages – P3,200,000.
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – P23,500,000 for the following:
· Support to “Binhi sang Probinsya” – P3,000,000;
· Provincial Feed Sufficiency Program – P3,500,000;
· Expansion and strengthening of organic agriculture program and enhancing the agro-enterprise and marketing development support for farmers practicing organic farming – P6,000,000;
· Procurement of various pre and post-harvest machineries, equipment and facilities – P10,000,000; and
· Fisheries and Aquaculture Development – P1,000,000.
Provincial Veterinary Office – P34,000,000 for the following:
· Stray Animal Population Control Program – P1,000,000;
· Support to Chicken and Duck Farm at NFR, Murcia -P2,500,000;
· Support to the operation and enhancement of Provincial Animal Learning Park and Hospital at Panaad Park, Bacolod City – P1,500,000;
· Support to the operation of ABANSE Negrense District Animal Health Center – P1,000,000;
· Upgrading /enhancement of provincial farm facilities and equipment – P7,000,000;
· Expanded livestock production and livelihood development program – P5,500,000;
· Herd build-up of cattle, goat and carabao for livelihood -P4,500,000;
· Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Program – P4,000,000;
· Support to Swine Techno Demo Project at Negros First Ranch (NFR), Murcia – P4,000,000; and
· Expanded Support to Provincial Itik Pinas Production for Livelihood – P3,000,000.
Provincial Engineer’s Office – P480,000,000 for the following:
· Construction/upgrading of provincial roads, road networks, and other infrastructures – P450,000,000; and
· Acquisition of heavy and light equipment – P30,000,000.
The new mayors and representatives of non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations were also welcomed to the PDC.
Negros Occidental has 14 newly elected mayors.*