Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Gwen proposes P2.32B budget
CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has submitted the proposed annual budget of the Province for 2009 worth P2.319 billion.
“This budget espouses the judicious application of resources, bearing my principle in governance that a budget must be – beyond theoretical presentation – an approximation of the people’s hopes and aspirations. It reflects the new age of politics, the new age of governance that we believe has dawn upon this great, indivisible and solid “One Province of Cebu,” Garcia wrote in her budget message.
The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) referred the proposal to the committee on appropriations, which is chaired by PB Member Wenceslao Gakit.
Regular session
Gakit said his committee will deliberate on first reading the proposed annual budget during their regular session next week.
The proposed 2009 budget is five percent higher than last year’s P2.2 billion.
The proposed budget will cover Capitol’s general services (P769,748,000), social services (P754,991,000), and economic services (P794,462,000).
“Our estimated funds and resources are being considered in the utilization for programs, projects and activities and for other purposes not contrary to law, with the end in view of promoting the general welfare of Cebuanos,” Garcia said.
The governor said the proposed budget conforms to her administration’s “budgetary thrust and policies.”
“This budget is on track with the most recent developments affecting local fiscal administration and adopts new concepts of local governance which are directly related to budget administration,” Garcia said.
“It advocates the principles of good governance, with emphasis on participative governance in planning and budgeting as the key to attain fiscal discipline, allocative efficiency and effective utilization and management of scarce financial resources.”
Exhaustive
The governor also submitted local expenditure program (LEP) and budget of expenditures and sources of financing (BESF) “for exhaustive comprehension” on several functions and programs in compliance with the operating policies and legal procedural requirements.
In proposing the budget, Garcia took pride in the Province’s independence from the Internal Revenue Allotment, which reportedly contributes only 55 percent of the required funding sources.
“Our resources have been systematically rationalized in consideration with the past or current years’ trend of our offices’ functional classification of itemized operational expenditures to best serve the essential needs of our people,” Garcia said.
It was learned that appropriations on personal services represents only 24 percent, or about 50 percent below the legal 45 percent limitation.
“This simply shows that the Provincial Government maintains its “thrust of having a lean and efficient bureaucracy… that rewards performance and leaves no room for sloppy service,” said Garcia.
“Delivery of more excellent services at less cost should be the guiding principle in governance where government is run as an enterprise,” she said. (GMD)
