Capitol’s P25B budget hurdles second reading

MANILA, Philippines —  The P25 billion proposed budget of Cebu Province for 2025 was approved on second reading during the regular session of the Cebu Provincial Board yesterday, Nov. 25, 2024.

This followed the budget hearing conducted by the Committee on Budget and Appropriations last Nov. 13, which was attended by the Provincial Finance Committee.

The third reading for the said budget proposal is expected to be tackled by the August body during its next regular session before it will be approved and submitted to the Office of the Governor.

The proposed P25 billion budget for 2025 is 8.69 percent higher than this year’s budget.

A big chunk of the P25 billion proposed budget next year is the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) which is P14 billion.

Under this, P3.8 billion will be for the province’s health sector upgrade, which include the improvement of health facilities and the acquisition of medical equipment for the 16 Capitol-run hospitals.

Another P3.5 billion will be allotted for road and bridge infrastructure, as well as for solar street lighting projects, while P3.3 billion is for water system development program in the 25 towns and cities in the province.

Another P1.2 billion will be for the construction or improvement of buildings and other structures; P400 million for agricultural initiatives; and P350 million for airport and seaport development.

The rest of the budget for the AIP include P200 million for drainage and flood control projects; P100 million for vehicle acquisition, like ambulances and emergency response units; and P150 million for development and restoration of cultural assets like parks and museums.

Based on the summary of appropriations by department or office, the Office of the Governor is proposing P19.1 billion, which has an increase of P2.140 billion or 12.56 percent from this year’s P17 billion budget.

The Office of the Vice Governor also proposed a higher budget next year. Vice Governor Hilario Davide III is asking P107 million for his office in 2025, a 5.67 percent increase from the P101 million budget this year.

As for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the total budget proposal for 2025 is P13.9 million, a slight increase from the P13.2 million this year.

For the 16 provincial and district hospitals, the budget proposal for next year is P2.565 billion, a decrease of 8.90 percent or P2.2 billion from the 2024 budget allocation of the Capitol-run hospitals.

The Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) are also asking for an increase in budget for next year.  The two Capitol-operated terminals are asking for an increased budget of P62.5 million for 2025; this is 3.80 percent higher than this year’s P60 million.

Further, almost all of the Capitol departments are asking for a bigger budget next year, which includes the Provincial Administrator (P36.9 million); the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (P44.2 million); the General Services Office (P391 million); Budget Office (P17 million); Provincial Accountant’s Office (P44.7 million); and Assessor’s Office (P26.9 million).

Also asking for an increase are the Information & Communication Technology Office (20.4 million); Provincial Legal Office (P25 million); Provincial Health Office (P1.042 billion); Social Welfare and Development Office (P607 million); Agriculturist’s Office (P175 million); Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (P31.3 million); and Provincial Cooperative Office (P2.3 million).

On the other hand, the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) has proposed a P56.3 million budget next year, which is lower than the P80.3 million budget this year, a decrease of 29.94 percent or P24 million.

Aside from CPDRC, three other Capitol offices have asked for a lower budget for 2025, including the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office that is asking for P72 million next year, lower than the P85 million fund this year.

The Provincial Information Office (PIO) also proposed P26.8 million, a decrease of 17.68 percent or P5.7 million lower from the office’s 2024 fund; and the Provincial Engineer’s Office with a P105 million budget proposal, lower than this year’s P103 million budget.

“Next year’s budget embodies the courses of actions carefully planned out by the Provincial Government, through the leadership of its Local Chief Executive, Honorable Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia to enhance the delivery of services, provide economic opportunities and potentials, install projects and programs to address identified sectors, most especially on health,” said board member Glenn Anthony Soco in his budget message yesterday during the regular session.

“It is with an ultimate objective to improve the way of lives and living of the Cebuanos,” he added.