THE Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Negros Occidental is proposing a P6.815-billion Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2017.
The proposal was approved Tuesday during the second PDC meeting presided by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
The AIP is the Capitol's "wish list." It lists the programs, projects, and activities the provincial government will implement next year, which will be sourced from the 20 percent Provincial Development Fund (PDF).
Of the proposed amount, P4.031 billion was earmarked for the economic development sector; P1.216 billion for infrastructure development; P840 million for institutional development; P641 million for social development; and P84 million for environment development.
Under the AIP, the Hospital Operations Department has the biggest allocation at P2.031 billion. A total of P1.392 billion was allocated for the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, P1.208 billion for the Office of the Provincial Engineer, P223 million for the Provincial Health Office, and P209 million for Mambukal Resort.
Ma. Lina Sanogal, provincial planning and development coordinator, said the Capitol's 20 percent PDF for 2017 was pegged at P566.500 million, which was also approved by the PDC during the meeting.
Of the amount, P205 million has been allocated for the loan payment of the Capitol while P361.500 million, for the programs and projects proposed by different departments, divisions, and non-government organizations.
Sanogal said the proposed AIP and the 20 percent PDF will be forwarded to the Provincial Board for concurrence.
She said the proposed programs and projects under AIP will be subject for the approval of the PDC and the SP for the allocation of budget.
The SP has the final say on the budget (allocation), she added.
The PDC also approved the Executive-Legislative Agenda, which is part of the Provincial Development Investment Plan for three years; I4J, or integrity for jobs, a program to ensure there is transparency and accountability in transactions in the Provincial Government; and framework of peace and development, which is in preparation for the drafting of the Peace and Development Agenda.
Meanwhile, the Capitol is expecting a P2.832-billion Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for 2017, with an increase of about P250 million from this year's P2.575 billion.