ANTIQUE – The Antique Provincial Government is set to prioritize key development projects following the approval of a significantly reduced Supplemental Budget No. 2 (SB2):The Antique Provincial Government is set to prioritize key development projects following the approval of a significantly reduced Supplemental Budget No. 2 (SB2), which now stands at over PHP821.59 million, down from the initially proposed PHP1.228 billion.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) has been tasked with the identification of projects to be funded by the revised budget. The provincial board made substantial cuts of around PHP407 million during deliberations held on Monday. Governor Rhodora Cadiao emphasized that the responsibility to allocate the funds effectively now rests with the PPDO. She noted in a Tuesday interview that the approved SB2 includes provisions for the salary adjustment of permanent capitol employees and the wages for contract service employees, amounting to
PHP11 million.
Additionally, the budget earmarks about PHP23 million for the upcoming 50th Binirayan Festival, a significant cultural event for the province scheduled for this December. However, other allocations saw reductions, such as the financial assistance for the barangay solar photovoltaic system, which was decreased from PHP572 million to PHP300 million. Similarly, funding for the construction of a mini hydro power plant in Sitio Igpatuyao, Barangay Poblacion in Sebaste was halved from PHP18 million to PHP9 million. The budget also includes allocations for livelihood and financial assistance programs for residents of Antique.