By Mae Singuay

The Bacolod City government will increase its 2024 annual budget by P350 million, according to Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.

This, after the city’s local revenue improved and the National Tax Allotment (NTA) share of the city government increased.

The city operates based on the approved annual budget of P3.250 billion this year.

Benitez is now preparing his proposal for the 2024 annual budget in the amount of P3.6 billion, which is higher compared to this year’s budget.

The 2023 NTA was reduced to P300 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Benitez said there will be an increase of P100 million next year.

“We would like to make sure that the process for our budget is encompassing in order that our programs and projects for 2024 will be given enough budget,” he said.

He added that the budget proposal will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod in the second week of October for approval./MS, WDJ