Provincial Board defers action on P240M budget request

THE Provincial Board (PB) of Negros Occidental deferred anew the deliberation on the P240 million Supplemental Budget proposed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. during its regular session on Wednesday.

The PB’s failure to take up the proposed budget occurred in a number of sessions already.

Board Member Salvador Escalante said the deferment was due to the late submission by provincial Engr. Ernie Mapa of the PERK CPM or Gantt chart of the P450-million Cyber Center Phase 1 and Phase 2, or schedule of works and accomplishment report.

The PB is set to hold a caucus on the proposed budget anew next Wednesday before its regular session.

Escalante said they will push for the approval of the supplemental budget minus the P50 million that was supposed to be allocated for the construction of the Annex Building of the Provincial Administration Center (PAC).

"This is the first time in my second term already as member of the SP (PB) that the proposed approval of the budget was deferred for several sessions," Escalante said.

He is confident, however, that the PB will approve the budget because the projects are not only Marañon's project but of the entire Capitol, with them as just stewards of the projects for the people of Negros.

He said they hope to satisfy some members of the PB who have several inquiries about the projects.

Based on the Gantt chart of the cyber center, it is eyed that the completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be simultaneous on October 2013 if Phase 2 can start implementation in February 2013.

Phase 1 has 35 percent accomplishment already.

It is proposed by Escalante's committee that the whole P170 million proposed budget for the Cyber Center Phase 2 be approved.

There are also proposals that the PB would first approve P16 million for automated water system, electrical wirings and air conditioning connections that are embedded during the construction of the building.

Aside from the P170 million for the Cyber Park Phase 2, the proposed supplemental budget also includes P10 million for six additional classrooms for the Negros Occidental High School and this is also undergoing scrutiny by the members of the PB. (TDE)