Degamo to review P1.9B budget

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines— Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo the other day said he will review the provincial government's 2014 annual executive budget of almost P2 billion before he will veto some items if necessary.

The governor was reacting to media queries over unverified reports that some items, included in the original proposed budget that was forwarded to the Provincial Board earlier, were either allegedly revised, modified or dropped.

Degamo said his office has not yet received a copy of the 2014 budget that the PB approved in its last session before the recess for the holidays.

One of the items that were reportedly altered or removed was the budget for the Peace and Order Council (POC), although the governor was informed that his intelligence fund was not changed.

The POC allocation had gone through the process, with its projects already identified for this year, and endorsed to the PB for approval, said Degamo, adding that he expected no changes in this particular item.

The governor said the total budget for the provincial government of Negros Oriental for 2014 stands at P1,911,813.171. He expected the PB to forward to his office the approved budget by this week for his review and approval.  (FREEMAN)