The P4.4 billion proposed 2021 budget of Negros Occidental is the first in six years that does not exceed the Department of Budget and Management cap on personal services, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, November 11.
Diaz appeared before the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan that began its budget hearings Wednesday.
Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said four hearings are set in the next two weeks and they hope to approve the 2021 budget by the first week of December.
Diaz said the proposed budget of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has been able to reduce the PS allocation that in the past exceeded the cap by P601 million.
The reduction of the PS fund has enabled them to increase the amount allocated for maintenance and other operating expenses that will enable provincial government offices to implement their programs and activities without having to wait for supplemental budgets, Diaz said.
Ferrer also said 2021 will be responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the proposed P4,471,695,065 budget, P1,641,424,244 will be allocated for personal services, P1,374,658,871 for maintenance and other operating expenses, P12,000,000 for capital outlay and P1,443,611,950 for special purpose appropriations.
Meanwhile, Ferrer said if an anti-COVID vaccine is released next year the provincial government may allocate funds for the purchase of such for frontliners and the less fortunate.*