THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) yesterday approved the P3.6-billion annual budget of the Provincial Government, which is P200 million higher compared to this year’s annual budget.
The Capitol’s annual budget for 2016 amounts to P3.4 billion.
Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas said the increase in the 2017 annual budget will be used to upgrade the provincial hospitals of Carcar City and Danao City from Level 1 to Level 2 facilities.
Out of the P3.6 billion, almost P882 million was set aside for the provincial hospital’s improvement. It is higher than this year’s P646-million budget.
Rodas attributed the raise to the increase in the Province’s internal revenue allotment share for next year. They will receive P2.9 billion from P2.5 billion this year.
Appropriations were also set aside for the local development fund, calamity fund and the operations of the Cebu South Bus Terminal, among others.
During their regular session yesterday, PB Member Miguel Magpale moved for the approval of the ordinance covering the 2017 annual budget. It was seconded by PB Member Christopher Baricuatro.
The budget ordinance also authorized Gov. Hilario Davide III to implement the second tranche salary adjustment of the Capitol employees in full, grant a midyear bonus equivalent to one month’s basic salary and productivity enhancement incentive amounting to P5,000 for each qualified personnel.
The ordinance also authorized Davide to fill up the vacant positions as listed in the Capitol’s personnel schedule and to hire casual employees, job order personnel or contract or service personnel.