The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, presided by Vice Gov. Mark Macias, in a special session Wednesday deliberated and approved the remaining seven of the original 17 items under the supplemental budget request of Gov. Roel Degamo.
Vice Governor Macias had called for a special session last Wednesday to approve the budget after Board Member Liland Estacion helped to produce the documents needed by the Provincial Board last Tuesday for the deliberation of the Governor’s request.
He explained that the Provincial Board could not act on the other items included in the governor’s request until the proper supporting documents are submitted as justification to avoid future problems with the Commission on Audit.
“As previously promised, we will work on it immediately once the documents are received”, said Macias.
The Sanggunian approved the remaining items in the Governor’s request for additional budget, after having found that these were justified by the documents submitted, Macias added.
These include, among others, the almost P8 million in wages for some 200 Job Order workers under the Office of the Governor, the multi-cabs for distribution to the barangays of which a list of beneficiaries had been submitted, the essential health program worth P1.5 million which involves the purchase of dental packs, P5 million for the medical missions of the Governor which the Sanggunian wanted itemized, and the financial assistance to the district hospitals in Bindoy town, and Canlaon City, the Vice Governor said.
Vice Governor Macias said that hopefully, this will be a reminder to all that there are certain government processes to follow, and that delays in the approval of requests may be due to some lacking requirements.
When asked about having “closure”, Macias said he hopes this could be reached, but noted that the past weeks strained the relationship between the executive and legislative branches due to some outside factors, such as the issues being widely discussed on air in radio programs.
Macias was apparently referring to accusations that the delay in the approval of the Governor’s request was politically-influenced.
He said that on the part of the Board Members, they were simply following COA guidelines, and do not want to later be involved in some trouble arising from their inability to carefully scrutinize and follow the guidelines as mandated.
Degamo on Thursday thanked the Board after the approval of the supplemental budget request.
Governor Degamo said he is happy the legislators have finally approved his request, and that his office has complied with all the documents required and these were in order. (PNA)
