In Central Visayas: BuB program allocates P15M for trade projects

CEBU, Philippines - Close to P15 million is being allocated for trade-related projects in Central Visayas this year under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB), the Department of Trade and Industry said.

Data from DTI showed at least 13 local government units (LGU) in Region 7 are to benefit the 16 identified BuB projects to be funded by the national government.

Joy Suralta, BuB focal person of DTI-7, said these projects include: the Yaman Pinoy, an entrepreneurial and skills training; shared service facility (SSF); Otop (One Town One Product) store; and sustainable livelihood program, an entrepreneurship development training.

In an interview yesterday, Suralta said most of the projects are skills training for priority industries identified by the LGUs.

The LGUs covered by DTI-7’s BuB implementation this year include: towns of Mabini, Tubigon and Duero in Bohol; cities of Lapu-Lapu, Talisay and towns of Tuburan, Tudela, San Remigio and Pinamungajan in Cebu; Bais City and towns of Amlan and Pamplona in Negros Oriental; and Larena town in Siquijor.

Suralta noted most of the projects are still to be implemented as most LGUs have yet to submit their requirements for the release of funds.

She added that provincial governments are tapped to help speed up the implementation of BuB-funded projects.

Monitoring of implementation of the funded projects is the responsibility of the LGUs.

Last year, 30 municipalities and cities in Region 7 benefited from a total of 47 BuB projects worth P34.1 million.

The BuB is a budgetary process that allows civil society groups to identify the development needs in their communities and to take part in the budgeting process. It is designed to empower the grassroots communities and their local governments. 

Under the 2015 national budget, the BuB covers 1,590 municipalities and cities in the country with a budget of P20.9 billion, said the Department of Budget and Management.

For 2016, a budget of P24.7 billion is being proposed to fund more than 14,300 BuB projects nationwide. (FREEMAN)