Negros Occidental SP to begin 2026 budget review

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Negros Occidental has scheduled its series of budget deliberations for the proposed 2026 annual budget next month.

The SP will hold all-day sessions on Nov. 13–14 and 20–21, 2025, at the SP Session Hall, to be attended by the heads of all provincial departments and offices.

The deliberations will be conducted by the committees on Finance, Oversight, Human Resource, Agriculture, Environment, Land Use, Tourism, and other relevant sectors, with the objective of ensuring that the proposed provincial budget aligns with Negros Occidental’s development priorities, service delivery goals, and fiscal sustainability.

The SP will formally open the budget deliberations on Nov. 13, with preliminary briefings from the Local Finance Committee and key provincial offices.

The opening session will begin with a comprehensive budget overview to be presented by Gemma Flores of the Budget Office, covering the province’s sources of funds, personal services, special appropriations, and debt servicing.

She will be joined by Atty. Amy Bolivar of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, Atty. Ray Diaz representing the Provincial Administrator and the Governor’s Office, Felomina Guzon of the Human Resource Management Office, and Anabelle Magalona, the Provincial Accountant.

In the afternoon, the SP will hear presentations from several divisions under the Office of the Governor, including the Internal Audit Division (Ms. Tootsie Yanson), Information and Communications Technology Division (Mr. Larry Sañor), and the Safety and Security Division (Atty. Alberto Nellas).

Also scheduled to appear are the Negros Occidental Investment and Promotions Division led by Ana Leah Silva, the Public Information Office headed by Charina Magallanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) led by Irene Bel Ploteña, and the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) headed by Karen Dinsay.

The first day will conclude with the presentation from the Philippine Rural Development Project – Project Management Unit, represented by Decelyn Dumancas.

The budget review will continue on Nov. 14 with a full day of deliberations involving additional provincial departments and offices.

The morning session will open with the Human Resource Management Office under OIC Felomina Guzon, followed by the Provincial Accountant’s Office (Anabelle Magalona), Provincial Treasurer’s Office (Atty. Amy Bolivar), and Provincial Assessor’s Office (Engr. Leyto Villanueva).

Other offices lined up for presentation include the Provincial Environment Management Office (Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio), General Services Office (Arnel Argusar), Provincial Legal Office (Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr.), and the Bids and Awards Committee (Atty. Cherry Shiel Villanueva).

In the afternoon, deliberations will resume with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Office represented by Atty. Maki Angel Ascalon, followed by the Office of the Vice Governor (Carmela Alonso Yusino), and the Negros Occidental Tourism Division (Cheryl Decena).

The session will then focus on the agriculture and livestock sectors, featuring the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (Dr. Dina Gensola, OIC) and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (Dr. Placeda Lemana).

The day’s proceedings will conclude with the Provincial Planning and Development Office led by Anna Marie Lucasan (OIC).

The SP committees will continue the second week of consultations on Nov. 20–21, focusing on provincial offices, programs, and hospitals to assess performance, financial management, and service delivery outcomes.

The Nov. 20 session will open with presentations from the Provincial Engineer’s Office led by Engr. Ernie Mapa, followed by the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (Karen Dinsay), Comprehensive Health Program (Andrea Marie Boherom), and Sports Development Program (Ma. Christina Gabaya).

Subsequent sessions will include the Panaad Park and Stadium (Ernie Espejo), the Negros Occidental Language and Information Center (Dr. Ma. Christina Orbecido), and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (Ms. Chiqui Gonzales).

The afternoon deliberations will focus on the Provincial Health Office and Hospital Operation Services, both headed by Dr. Girlie Pinonggan, as well as the province’s network of district hospitals.

Other hospitals expected to present include the Merceditas Montilla District Hospital, Gov. Valeriano Gatuslao Hospital, Valladolid District Hospital, Cadiz District Hospital, and Luz-Sikatuna/Inapoy Primary Hospital.

On Nov. 21, the SP will conclude its deliberations with a half-day session focusing on the province’s economic enterprises.

The Economic Enterprise Development Department led by Atty. Rayfrando Diaz (OIC) will open the session, followed by Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary (Ms. Sheila Fuentes), Food Terminal Market of Negros Occidental (Omega Ciocon), Negros Residences (Ms. Beverly De Oca), and the Negros First Cyber Center.

These discussions will be overseen by the committees on Finance, Oversight, Investments and Promotions, Government Enterprise, and Government Assets, reviewing operational efficiency and revenue performance of provincial income-generating units.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier submitted to the SP a proposed PHP 7.6 billion provincial budget for fiscal year 2026 — representing a PHP 1.16 billion or 17.98% increase over the previous year’s PHP 6.457 billion allocation.

The budget proposal, which prioritizes infrastructure development, health care, agriculture, education, and social protection programs, was formally transmitted by the Office of the Governor to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso last week.

Vice Governor Alonso said the province’s National Tax Allotment (NTA) has increased to PHP 6.65 billion, significantly strengthening the province’s fiscal capacity for 2026 and enabling expanded investments in public services and capital projects.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Budget and Finance, chaired by Board Member Marxlen Dela Cruz (1st District), will lead the detailed review and deliberation of the proposed provincial budget.