The Negros Occidental Provincial Development Council yesterday approved P200,061,671 for the 20 percent 2008 Provincial Development Fund.

Gov. Joseph Marañon said that, of the amount, P28.9 M will be used to pay the provincial government's loans from the Department of Finance and the Development Bank of the Philippines , while the remaining P171.1 million will be used for priority development programs of the province.

The priority projects are geared toward ensuring food security and agricultural productivity, health care, infrastructure facilities, environment conservation and rehabilitation, tourism development among others for Negrenses, he said.

At the PDC meeting at the Capitol yesterday presided over by Marañon and attended by Negros Occidental officials and mayors, reports were made on gains made by the province in food security, livestock development, infrastructure development and environment protection in 2006.

The PDC also endorsed a proposal by Mayor Soledad Montilla for a P48 million road project for the development of tourism in Sipalay City for approval by the Regional Development Council, and plans for the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival from April 26 to May 3, Marañon said.*CPG

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