PB okays P5.7-M budget

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Board (PB) approved Tuesday P5.7-million supplemental budget for the maintenance and other operating expenditures of the Governor's Office.

The approved amount is about P8-million short of the original P13 million requested by Governor Eddie Panlilio.

The P5.7-million approved supplemental budget include "gasoline and lubricant" allotment.

To recall, Panlilio resorted to riding jeepneys and tricycles to and from work about two months ago after his office's fuel fund was depleted as a result of subsidizing the maintenance and operating expenses of the Biyaya a Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) task force and three other agencies attached to the Office of the Governor.

Vice Governor Joseller Guiao said that while Panlilio "has not fully justified" his request for supplemental budget, the PB found it "necessary" and "with a sense of urgency" to approve a portion of the requested amount.

"The P5.7 is just enough for the operation of the Governor's Office for three months before the year ends," Guaio said.

He added: "Despite the failure of the Governor's representatives to justify the entire supplemental budget, we are approving a portion of the proposed Supplemental Budget."

Guiao advised Panlilio to read the minutes of the PB hearings to be able to meet the justification needed by the PB.

The PB also discussed the Annual Development and Investment Plans for 2008.

However, before the proposed appropriations are approved, the PB is requiring Panlilio to "fully justify" and "provide detailed program of work" on how the budgets would be utilized.

Panlilio said he will be meeting with his team regarding the recent development.

The governor also said he might make another request to the PB for supplemental budget.

"We will see if the funds approve will meet our office requirements. I will be meeting with my team to discuss the issue," Panlilio said, adding that he will look into the requirements being asked by the PB.

The budget for the salaries of the active Balas members was deferred. PB members want leaders of the quarry task force to "justify" their budgetary request.