The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved the provincial government’s budget for 2025, amounting to P6,457,794,000.

The P6.45 billion budget was approved on Tuesday, December 3, after two weeks of deliberations by the Committee on Finance.

It is higher by about 18.8 percent from the approved P5.43 billion budget for 2024, due to a higher share of the province from the National Tax Allotment, the SP said.

Of the amount, P6.203 billion will be allocated to the general fund, while the P254.45 million will go to the Economic Enterprise Development Department, a special account under the general fund.

Earlier, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer assured the approval of the provincial government’s budget this week.

Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said it is necessary to have the annual budget at the start of the year to ensure the smooth implementation of the provincial government’s programs and services.

He said the annual budget was carefully crafted to address the pressing needs of the province./WDJ