Aklan govt proposes P976.436-M budget for 2011
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The provincial government is proposing a P976,436,012 budget for next year, which is three percent higher than the 2010 approved budget.
The proposed provincial budget consists of P587,987,907 for general fund and P388,446,105 for the Economic Enterprise Development Department to finance projects and services.
Of the P587-million general fund budget, P83.6-million is allocated for social services, P180.90-million for economic services, general personnel services of P293.70-million and P29.4-million is reserve for calamity and P327,000 for aid to barangays.
The provincial government also allocates P217.713-million for personal services, P139.911-million for maintenance and operating expenses and P30.821-million for capital outlays for EEDD.
Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez said the 2011 budget is the fuel to move on the province forward into progress.
Marquez submitted the proposed budget on October 15 to the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) pursuant to Section 318 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the 1991 Local Government Code within the October 16 deadline.
The itemized allocation in the proposed budget for next year also earmarked P162.183-million for the Office of the Provincial Governor, P31.423-million for SP Aklan, P25.465-million for Provincial Health Office, P55.882-million for the Provincial Engineers Office and P138.126-million for Special Purpose Appropriation.
According to provincial board member Rodson Mayor, the budget presentations are scheduled after the October 25 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and the observance of All Saints’ Day.
Mayor said the committee on appropriations will start the budget hearings on November 5, adding, the legislators also target to finish the deliberations within the month of November for approval by the Aklan SP and signing into an ordinance by Governor Marquez.
Before the Christmas break last year, the Aklan SP approved the P949-million 2010 budget of the provincial government.