Negros Occ. lost P9.5B to COVID

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson said Negros Occidental’s economy lost an estimated P9.57 billion to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Lacson said that because of the economic downturn, the province’s priorities and its 2021 budget formulation shifted to more pressing concerns in the face of decreasing business activities and ensuring public health and safety.

The Sanggunian Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental will soon start hearing the P4.4-billion budget for 2021 after passing the measure on first reading on Tuesday.

The 2021 proposed budget is higher compared to the P4.2 billion this year.

SP Secretary Atty. Maki Ascalon told Daily Guardian Wednesday that the 2021 budget has been referred to the Committee on Finance chaired by Board Member Rommel Debulgado.

Ascalon said deliberation of the 2021 provincial budget will probably start by second week of November and will be approved in December 2020.

The 2021 budget includes P1,641,424,244 of personal services (salaries and benefits of workers), P1,374,658,871 for maintenance and other operating expenses, P12 million for capital outlay (acquisition of equipment and furniture); and P1,443,611,950 for the special purpose appropriations.

The P4.4 billion is projected to be sourced income from tax revenues (P98,000,000), non-tax revenues (P380,357,719) and Internal Revenue Allotment (P3,993,337,346).

Earlier, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer assured the approval of the proposed 2021 budget on time “as funds are needed to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Ferrer said he sees a smooth sailing passage of the 2021 budget.