By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The provincial government of Negros Occidental is proposing a P4.4 billion budget for 2021.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson submitted the proposed budget to the provincial board for review and approval on Thursday, October 15.

The proposed general fund budget is P4,471,695,065. Allocated for personal services is P1,641,424,244; maintenance and other operating expenses – P1,374,658,871; capital outlay – P12,000,000; and special purpose appropriations – P1,443,611,950.

The P4.4 billion will come from tax revenues totaling P98,000,000; non tax revenues – P380,357,719; and Internal Revenue Allotment – P3,993,337,346.

Lacson said the Covid-19 pandemic has caused an economic loss of P9.57 billion to Negros Occidental. Because of this, he said, the province’s priorities and its budget formulation have now shifted to more pressing concerns in the face of decreasing business activities and ensuring public health and safety.

Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, for his part, assured the approval of the proposed 2021 budget on time “as funds are needed amid the Covid-19 pandemic.”/DGB, WDJ