Maasin City, Southern Leyte - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its recent session held at the Provincial Capitol here has approved on its third reading of Resolution No.911-s.2008, the total annual budget of PhP446,596,822.00 for the province of Southern Leyte for the current year.

Hon. Jason Calva, Chairman Committee on Finance and Appropriation, who proposed the aforesaid budget, disclosed that the amount is to be sourced from the General Fund of the province. Two other preceding and related resolutions, nos.909-s.2008 and 910-s.2008, were read earlier during the 2 SP?s previous sessions.

The aforementioned budget, which also served as the Annual Investment Plan for this year by the provincial government, Calva explained, includes the PhP25M ?beginning balance? as certified by Provincial Treasurer during the previous session.

The Chairman of Finance further disclosed that the appropriation of the Association of Barangay Council, Provincial Council League, Sangguniang Kabataan, Mayors League and Vice-Mayors League were increased to PhP100,000.00 each instead of PhP50, 000.00 each last year.

However, Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo II, clarified to the august body that there were only three ex-officio members who have represented their respective organizations. This is the cause for reduction to its appropriated funds to PhP300, 000.00 instead of PhP500, 000.00. The 3 organizations that were represented in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were the Association of Barangay Council by Abgao Barangay Captain Nacional Verrano Mercado, Prov?l Council League by and the Sangguniang Kabataan by SK President Joyce S. Mejia.

Calva also requested the OIC-Budget Officer of the Province Sylvia Torredes to appove the transfer of existing positions of the previously closed Padre Burgos Community Hospital which was under the Salvacion Oppus Y?iguez Memorial Provincial Hospital for the last three years.

The PBCH?s existing positions, it was learned, comprises 17 staff and personnel. These are the 2 Medical Officer, 3 nurses, 3 nursing attendants, a Medical Technologist, an Administrative Assistance, 2 utility workers, and 5 Administrative Aides including a driver, clerk and cook. The Finance Chair said that these positions are subject to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Calva further informed that the restoration of positions to its origin source, which is the newly-opened Padre Burgos Community Hospital, was also approved by SP Roberto Lagumbay, M.D., Chairman Committee on Health.

Moreover, Maamo also said that the submission of the proposed 2009 budget for approval to the Provincial Board members during their three successive sessions, has not meet any objection.

The unanimous approval of the current budget, on motion of Calva, was jointly seconded by SPs Caesar Rey, Roberto Lagumbay and Albert Esclamado. (Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)

About the Contributor:

Mr. Quirico M. Gorpido Jr was an erstwhile Correspondent/Contributor to the following weeklies and dailies: Tacloban-based regional weekly a 33-year-old The Reporter for many years(now defunct), a Cebu-based weekly The Visayan Express(now defunct),Cebu-based daily The Freeman(1994-1998) now a sister publication of The Philippine Star, Maasin-based weekly The Southern Leyte Times for three years, Tacloban-based daily The Leyte Samar Daily Express(2000-2001), Cebu-based daily the Cebu Daily News(2002-2003), Tacloban-based weekly 7-year-old Tribune(2003-2007).