Bulacan execs deny P1-billion debt

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines  – The provincial government of Bulacan has denied reports it has incurred P1-billion in debts to suppliers.

Officials, however, admitted delays in the payment of some suppliers because they prioritized the release of the mid-year bonus to employees. They also promised to pay their arrears next month with the release of 80 percent of their internal revenue allotment.

Gov. Wilhemino Alvarado said the provincial government always pays its debts, including those incurred by the previous administration.

Provincial budget officer Marina Flores told The STAR that Bulacan, like the other provincial governments, has been implementing cash programming.

“There are times that the government wait for a certain day to pay suppliers because we have to wait for fund allotment,” she said.

Alvarado and Flores added that delays in the release of payment to suppliers can be traced to department heads. 

“Many times department heads are busy with their work, and they sometimes forget working on and facilitating the paperwork, thus, the delay in release of payment,” Flores said. 

A non-government organization had said suppliers of medicines to various public hospitals in the province have stopped deliveries and services due to outstanding debts.