THE provincial government of Negros Occidental has granted almost P9.4 million for various projects, mostly infrastructure, to 11 local government units (LGUs).
The Provincial Board has recently passed a resolution approving the request of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to sign the project proposals and memoranda of agreement to be entered into by the province and different beneficiaries.
This is relative to the various programs and projects funded under the lump-sum appropriation for this year, said Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante, chairman of the SP committee on finance, budget and appropriations.
Escalante said that the fund will be sourced from the province's 20 percent Development Fund for 2015.
"After the approval made by the Sanggunian, the province can now release the grants followed by the implementation of the projects," he said.
Based on the project endorsement submitted by the Office of the Governor to the Provincial Board, the biggest slice of the allocation was granted to the municipality of Himamaylan – P2,850,000.
It is intended for 13 clearing and declogging of canal and river projects in 13 barangays worth P200,000 each, and procurement of one multi-purpose vehicle amounting to P250,000 for Barangay Mambagaton.
The second highest allocation was given to Sagay City, a total of P1.8 million for concreting of road project and Liga ng mga Barangay Sportsfest 2015.
It is followed by the municipality of Calatrava with P1.4 million covering the rehabilitation of water supply and the construction of water system in Barangays Ilaya and Refugio, respectively.
The provincial government has also granted P1 million to La Carlota City for road concreting project; Cauayan has about P825,000 mainly for road rehabilitation; Victorias Ikaayong Lawas Foundation Inc., P500,000 as financial subsidy for medicines; La Castellana, P400,000 for concreting of farm-to-market road and Barangay Hall renovation; Hinigaran, P200,000 for construction of water system line extension; Silay City, P160,000 for canals and drainage system rehabilitation and Barangay Week celebration; Moises Padilla, P150,000 for the repair of a daycare center building; and P10,000 to E.B. Magalona for its sports and cultural program.
Supplemental Budget
Meanwhile, the provincial board has also passed on first reading the proposed 2015 supplemental budget No. 4 amounting to P339.4 million.
Escalante said this was the payment of the Ayala Land, Inc. for the prime property at the back of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City, either sold or leased by the province to them.
“The bulk of the supplemental budget has been set aside for the purchase of land,” the board member said, adding that after the lease and sale of the property the provincial government is now eyeing to engage in land banking scheme.