GOVERNOR Arthur Defensor Jr. has sought the approval of the Iloilo Provincial Board for the province's executive budget for 2020.

For next year, the Provincial Government is proposing a P3.029-billion budget for the General Fund and P1.060-billion for the Local Economic Enterprise.

The proposed General Fund is higher by P282.417 million (9.32 percent) compared to 2019. It will be allocated for the general public services (P917million), economic services (P482 million), social services (P469 million), and special purpose appropriations (P1.16 billion).

The general public services cover programs that promote order and public safety and for the judiciary, administrative overhead and regulatory functions of the province.

The economic services are those for agricultural, veterinary, natural resources, engineering, and tourism services, among others.

Social services are for the members of the marginalized sector.

The special purpose appropriations is reserved for the 20 percent development projects, five percent disaster fund, aid to barangays, terminal leave benefits, and local economic enterprise advances.

On the other hand, the Local Economic Enterprise is eyeing a P209.425 million (19.74 percent) increase compared to 2019.

Defensor clarified that the LEE is a separate entity and should not be combined with the General Fund. It is sourced from the estimated collection and service incomes of the 11 district hospitals and one provincial hospital as well as the subsidy from the General Fund.

The governor is hopeful that the Provincial Board will approve the executive budget sooner.

"I hope that we could be able to transcend political affiliations and work

towards the fulfillment of our mandate as elected officials of the province of Iloilo," Defensor said in his budget message. (PR)