The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved a P43.8 million supplemental budget, which includes an additional P8 million for provincial board members to dispose on projects they deem necessary for their constituents.

Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday said each board member will get about P500,000 each for projects in their districts.

Earlier each board member was given P1.5 million  in discretionary funds for their districts and 11 of them chose to use the bulk of their shares to buy vehicles for their own use.

Of the P43.8 million P17 million was allocated for the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center, P7.4 million for various priority programs  of  mayors, P2.85 million for the Task Force Ilahas, and  P2.8 million for the Panaad sa Negros Festival, Zayco said.

Other allocations were for the provincial jail – P600,000, Sangguniang Panlalawigan advertising – P800,000, janitorial services for the Capitol Lagoon Park – P211,200, Provincial Engineer’s Office security services – P152,000, Assessor’s Office janitorial services – P79,200, Office of the Provincial Veterinarian janitorial and security services – P155,200;

Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm security services – P228,000, support for the Negros Occidental Development Council – P100,000, Gender  and Development – P520,000,  tourism program – P300,000, Project Monitoring Committee – P500,000, terminal leave benefits – P500,000;

Refund of lots – P200,000, Provincial Prosecutor’s Office – P49,000, Civil Services Commission telephone expenses – P10,000, Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence – P580,000, Office of the Provincial Agriculturists – P405,600, and repair and maintenance of vehicles of the Office of the Governor – P350,000.

Zayco said while the function of board members is legislative in nature, they are given Special Allocation Funds to respond to various needs of their constituents.

The SPA of each board member for a year reaches from P2.5 to P3 million, but the amount is not given all together, Zayco said. The amounts are released as funds become available for supplemental budgets, he said.*CPG

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