By: Gail T. Momblan
SANGGUNIANG Panlalawigan (SP) member and appropriations committee chair Dorothy Paes said the offices that were summoned to the budget hearing on Jan 31, 2019 have clearly presented their proposed budget.
The budgets of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO), Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), and the Iloilo Sports and Development Office were tackled during the hearing.
So far daw klaro naman ang ila nga mga explanation, ginahulat na lang naton ang ila utilization report, Paes said.
The appropriations committee also started scrutinizing the proposed budget of the Provincial Governors (Administrative Services) but it was cut short due to time constraints.
“Wala ta pa gani natapos ang aton administrative services kay tungod nag-lunch na so nangayo kita sang pasaylo nga i-cut ang aton committee hearing kag schedule next week,” Paes said.
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
During the scrutiny of the Iloilo Sports and Development Office’s budget, appropriations committee vice chairperson Marcelo Valentin Serag pointed out the province’s lack of a sports development plan.
Serag asked if the sports program under the Iloilo Sports and Development Office is different from that of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Dr. Ma. Janelyn Fundal, Iloilo Sports and Development Office head, said the office had established centers in municipalities where elementary and secondary students train in volleyball, swimming, badminton, table tennis, chess, football, among others.
Students also join sports meets, Fundal said.
“Napanumdom ko ang involved sa sports activities mga studyante man so we have the sports activities nga iya sa province and yet may ara man kita nga iya sang DepEd nga same persons man. Isn’t it a duplication? Ano bala ang aim naton? Ano ang direction naton diri?” Serag asked.
“Those programs nga involved ang eskwelahan, ga-duplication kita sang sports program of that of DepEd, so nagdoble ang aton gastos,” he added.
Serag said the province should have its own sports development plan.
“Kon wala plano, wasak man gid man. It should always start with a plan,” Serag said.
Serag also asked Fundal if it is possible to stop the fund transfer scheme between the Iloilo Provincial Government and DepEd.
Assistance to DepEd-sports activities are released through fund transfer, which is covered by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
The Commission on Audit (COA) already said the Capitol should prepare an annual financial plan for sports-related activities which are regularly conducted every year.
“Para di na kita magtransfer sang pondo sa DepEd. It is more effective kay mga teachers lang man naga-training sa kabataan,” Serag said.
He said the fund transfer scheme often encounter problems in liquidation.
Fundal noted Serag’s suggestion.
