Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos, Chairperson of the Committee of Finance, Budget and Appropriation, is reportedly set to conduct the annual marathon budget hearings to thoroughly scrutinize the proposed 2022 annual budget for of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh).
The proposed budget was submitted by Gov. Arthur C. Yap. to Relampagos on Oct, 15, 2021.
Relampagos, during the last regular session on Oct. 19, 2021 has informed all the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that the governor has already submitted the proposed 2022 budget.
The said proposed annual budget was given an immediate action by Relampagos as he referred it to the appropriate committee, which is the Committee on Finance, Budget and Appropriation.
The said committee will then summon the heads of the different offices of the PGBh to defend or justify the respective proposed budgets of their offices.
The heads of offices will also present their proposed programs, projects and activities during the budget hearings.
Accordingly, the committee will then submit its inputs, proposals, and recommendations to the SP in a regular session which will decide, whether or not to approve or decline the proposed budget.
In a statement, Relampagos has urged all the members of the SP to participate and attend the budget hearings that will be scheduled and conducted by the committee.
“Open and transparent ang ato nga mga binuhatan sa services sa katawhan as we are entrusted by the people isip maoy magdumala sa province in the field of legislation and policy making,” Relampagos said.
Relampagos added that the budget hearings are crucial in determining the actual and expected expenditures of the province for the upcoming year. The SP members are duty bound as local legislators to review the budget, reassess the priorities and line items, and whenever necessary, reallocate funds to other programs and projects that require additional financial sources.
Pursuant to Section 318 of the Local Government Code, the Local Chief Executive, in this case, the governor, shall prepare the executive budget for the ensuing fiscal year and shall submit the said executive budget to the Sanggunian concerned not later than October 16 of the current fiscal year.
Likewise, Section 319 of the same code states that the Sanggunian concerned shall enact, through an ordinance, the annual budget of the LGU for the ensuing fiscal year on the basis of the estimates of income and expenditures submitted by the Local Chief Executive.