THE Cebu Provincial Board has approved the proposed P15 billion budget for 2021 on third and final reading during its session on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020.

Passing the annual budget means more projects in health services and infrastructure will be pursued in Cebu next year.

Provincial Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, author of the annual budget resolution, said the approval of the budget is very important as it will also be used in revitalizing the local economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A major feature of the budget is the development fund, which comprises 55 percent of the total budget or a consolidated amount of P8.2 billion,” he said.

The lawmaker further said the fund is for infrastructure projects such as “road concreting, bridges, waterworks systems and port development, and other vital programs and projects that would enable goods and services to move faster, enhance efficiency of the delivery of basic government’s services and boost investments in the countryside.”

“It is the right investment in the right direction which would speed up our economic recovery,” Soco said.

The provincial government will source its funds from its local sources.

“It exemplifies the province’s effective collection and efficient spending. We are proud to declare that the 2021 Annual Budget epitomizes the Province’s autonomy from the country’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) as the lion’s share of its budget sources are from its own regular collections and local sources. Considering the havoc caused on the government coffers by the pandemic, this is a bold achievement, to say the least,” Soco said.

Proposals

In its proposal, the Capitol wants P6.2 billion for social services, P5.8 billion for economic services and P2.9 billion for general public services.

Based on the summary appropriations from different Capitol departments, the Office of the Governor proposed a budget of P10.6 billion for 2021, which is 33.37 percent higher than the P7.9 billion it had proposed for 2020.

The proposed budget for provincial and district hospitals was set at P1.99 billion.

The Office of the Vice Governor proposed P66.1 million for 2021. (ANV)