NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson will submit the proposed 2021 budget before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) this week, a local official said.

Provincial Administrator laywer Rayfrando Diaz II on Wednesday, September 30, assured the budget proposal will be compliant below the 45 percent ceiling.

"There will be no excess and we are still finalizing the budget proposal," Diaz said.

He did not reveal the amount of the proposed 2021 provincial budget.

Once submitted by the governor, the SP will deliberate the proposed budget and will invite department heads to defend their respective budget proposal during budget hearings.

The 2020 provincial budget is P4.2 billion.

Board member Rommel Debulgado, chair of the Committee on Finance, said the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the province for next year will have a slight increase, however, the local income of the province has significantly lowered especially the economic enterprise because of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

"Mambukal Resort has no income and the Negros Residences is not yet turned over to the province due to the pandemic," Debulgado said.

The province-owned Mambukal Resort located in Murcia town is being utilized as a provincial quarantine facility for Covid-19.

Debulgado said the turnover of the Negros Residences to the province has also been delayed. It has yet to be completed and only its function room is being used.

"We are disturbed by the pandemic, which has been affecting us since it became full-blown. We may continue to face uncertainties due to this pandemic maybe until the first half of next year," Debulgado said.