By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer assured that the proposed budget for 2024 will be approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) within the designated timeframe.

Ferrer said yesterday he anticipated that budget hearings will likely take place in the first week of December, following the same schedule as last year.

He said department heads will be appearing before the SP to present and defend their respective budget proposals.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson submitted the proposed 2024 annual budget amounting to P5,434,644,700 to the SP last week.

Lacson said the budget increased by five percent, much higher than this year’s P5.1 billion.

He added that the proposal will be a testament of the provincial government’s diligence and commitment in addressing the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor highlighted that Negros Occidental has made significant progress in agriculture, industry and commerce, indicating a strong recovery from the pandemic’s impacts.

Lacson also noted that the province’s National Tax Allotment has increased by six percent, which will translate into additional projects and programs for the benefit of the constituents./DGB, WDJ