The Oriental Negros government is awaiting the go-signal from the Department of Budget and Management for the P1,000 increase in the cost of living allowance for Capitol employees.

Gov. George Arnaiz assured the employees that the amount will be released as soon as they get the guidelines from the DBM in Manila.

He also assured the provincial health workers that they will receive 50 percent of their hazard pay as provided under the Magna Carta for health workers.

Meanwhile, moves to privatize the holding of the Buglasan Festival in Oriental Negros are in the offing with the provincial government mainly assisting in its operation.

The Sanguniang Panlalawigan has already authorized the Culture and Arts Foundation to run the Buglasan festivities, Arnaiz said.

He said it is easier to move through the foundation than the government, as long as they can account for the funds.

The Buglasan festival of festivals have been institutionalized in the province through an ordinance authored by Board Member Mariant Escaño Villegas.

The plan was reiterated by the governor in his recent state of the province address.*JG

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