RDC E. Visayas endorses PHP17.3-B proposed budget of agencies, tertiary schools

TACLOBAN CITY, March 9 (PNA) –- The Regional Development Council (RDC) has endorsed PHP17.3 billion budget for 2017 of 20 regional offices and 10 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Eastern Visayas.

The budget is primarily intended for new programs and projects designed to curb poverty, sustain post-Yolanda recovery and boost disaster preparedness.

The Department of Education (DepED) got a big chunk of the 2017 proposed budget for the region at PHP7.4 billion to beef up regional preparations on the Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (K to 12) program, which will be fully implemented this year.

The rehabilitation of damaged building is a major consideration why the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is asking for PHP2.77 billion.

Also in the top five on the list are the Department of Health (PHP2.07 billion), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (PHP950.4 million), and National Irrigation Administration (PHP920.84 million)

“The RDC reviewed spending proposals member agencies using the 2017 guidelines. The proposal is based on the relevance and development impact to regional priorities particularly on rehabilitation and recovery, poverty alleviation, reduction in the magnitude of the poor and disaster readiness,” said National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Bonifacio Uy, RDC vice chairperson.

Intensified post-Yolanda recovery initiative for coconut prompted the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to seek for PHP467.51 million outlay. Its proposal is even higher than the PHP67.83 million budget proposal of their mother agency, the Department of Agriculture.

Other agencies involved in farm-related programs are seeking a bigger share of the budget – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (PHP372.72 million), and Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PHP246.94 million).

Also endorsed by the RDC during its first quarter meeting are the 2017 budgets of Department of Trade and Industry (PHP136.53 million), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (PHP56.51 million), Environmental Management Bureau (PHP51.27 million), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (PHP50.26 million).

Philippine National Police (PHP39.25 million), Department of Agrarian Reform (PHP32.57 million), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (PHP18.4 million), Department of Tourism (PHP10.8 million), NEDA (PHP17.87 million, and Department of Science and Technology (PHP10 million).

The RDC will have yet to formally review the budget of other agencies, which will be completed next month. Proposed budget of other regional line agencies don’t need RDC endorsement since they are employing centralized budget system.

State Universities and Colleges

The 10 SUCs in the region are asking for PHP1.9 billion outlay for 2017 to train students in consonance with the regional development plan.

Of all the state-run higher learning institutions, the Eastern Visayas State University has the highest budget proposal at PHP470 million. The school has satellite campuses in campuses in Tacloban, Ormoc, Carigara, Burauen and Tanauan in Leyte.

Next with biggest outlay request is the Samar State University in Catbalogan City at PHP378.5 million.

The third in the list is the Visayas State University in Baybay City at PHP353.8 million. The school has campuses in Tolosa, Isabel, Alangalang and Villaba in Leyte.

Also endorsed are proposed budgets of Naval State University in Biliran (PHP161.7 million), Northwest Samar State University (PHP134 million), Eastern Samar State University (PHP119.1 million), Leyte Normal University (PHP99 million), Southern Leyte State University (PHP85.7 million), University of Eastern Philippines in Northern Samar (PHP57.7 million), and Palompon Institute of Technology (PHP48.2 million).

Endorsed budget proposals are for consideration by their respective central offices regular funds or other sources subject to submission of other requirements provided by the RDC.

All concerned agencies are guided by the Budget Priorities Framework in line with the administration’s goals of sustaining rapid growth and inclusive development.

The priority areas are summarized into six – fast post-disaster recovery, inclusive growth, good governance, reduction of disaster vulnerabilities, establishment of an enabling environment of just and lasting peace and the rule of law, and improved economy.

The Department of Budget and Management is implementing a two-tier budgeting approach introducing separate reviews for ongoing/approved programs and new or expanded ones to give better focus on each type of program. (PNA)

JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO