The details of the 9,776,812,616.00 Bn budget were not immediately available but Board Member Jessica Jane Villanueva, who moved for the approval of the budget, told the MetroPost that the bulk of this budget would go to hospitals and tourism.
Likewise, the Board approved the three motions of Board Member Kit Marc Adanza to approve the proposed ordinance appropriating 3,510, 355,275.00 from estimated revenues of the general fund to cover various revenues of the provincial government for 2024. The Ordinance was approved on third reading during the same session.
This amount represents the Annual Investment Program (AIP) of the Province which is subject to the usual accounting and auditing Rules regulations, and policies.
Gov. Chaco thanked VG Jake Reyes and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in passing the budget before yearend, a first in many years, highlighting a much-improved relationship between the executive and legislative bodies of the Province.
Explaining the speed with which the Board approved the budget, Gov. Chaco said this came up because the members of the Board were involved in the budgeting process. “I sought to determine their needs, so when the time came the process was shortened.”
Gov. Chaco said the bond between the legislative and executive is very strong. The relationship between the legislative and the executive was further enhanced amid efforts by Cong. Chiquiting Sagarbarria to unite the political forces in Negros Oriental, upon the instruction of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Various political parties have aligned under the Nationalist People’s Coalition led by Cong. Chiquiting to heed the call of Romualdez, which was aimed at promoting peace and development in the province in the wake of the divided political atmosphere in Negros Oriental due to the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo last March 4.
Gov. Chaco said the Provincial Government shall begin implementing projects starting early next year.
The strengthened ties between the executive and legislative branches is one of the reasons cited by a survey firm to declare Gov. Chaco as one of three outstanding governors in the Philippines.
Noting that he is the third among the top three, along with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Quirino Governor Dax Cua, Governor Chaco has vowed to work even harder to become the number one governor in the country.
“I can say I am working for you and it’s showing results. This rating is given not for us but for the people of Negros Oriental,” he added.
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Photo Caption: Employees of the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, led by Governor Chaco Sagarbarria, record their Christmas greetings to be posted on social media. (Photo by Jing Villaflores)
