Negros Occidental budget still in limbo

THE passage of the 2013 provincial budget of Negros Occidental depends on the Committee on Finance which up to now is still deliberating on the controversial budget, according to Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez.

Alvarez added that today’s session can be adjourned immediately like in the sessions of the past weeks as the Provincial Board (PB) members prefer not to take up other matters, in accordance with the provisions of Section 323 of the Local Government Code which bar them from taking up other matters because of their failure to enact the 2013 provincial budget.

The concerns of the local government units waiting for the PB's approval will just take its natural course, referring to their automatic approval after the SP fails to act on them within the prescribed period, he added.

The 90-day period within which the SP should decide on the budget will end on March 31. If the PB fails to act on the budget within that period, Capitol will operate on the 2012 reenacted budget.

Board Member Salvador Escalante, chairman of the Committee on Finance, has already expressed doubt if they can approve the budget within the 90-day period, as there are still a number of department heads who are set to defend the respective budgets of their departments.

The campaign period for the May 13 elections starts on March 29 when the banning for government projects will also start.

Speculations abound at the Capitol that the budget will be enacted by the PB at the start of the election ban. (TDE)