By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The proposed 2021 budget of the provincial government of Negros Occidental is due for submission to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on October 15, provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz said. 

Diaz said the budget is estimated to be higher than the P4.2 billion budget this year.

When Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson signs it this week, it will be immediately submitted to the board for deliberation through the budget hearings.

Department heads will be invited to justify their respective budget proposals.

According to Diaz, a big chunk of the budget – up45 percent – will be allocated for Personal Services (PS) which covers salaries and benefits of more than 3,000 employees of the provincial government.

The 2021 budget will comply with the 45 percent limit for PS expenses, he stressed.

A total of P1.6 billion has been set aside for the PS in the 2021 budget.

“A total of P1.3 billion is set for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses next year,” he added. /DGB, WDJ