Antique to identify priority projects for P821-M budget

The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) has to identify priority projects funded by the over PHP821.59 million approved Supplemental Budget No. 2 (SB2), which originally was PHP1.228 billion. The provincial board slashed the budget by around PHP407 million during the deliberation and approval on Monday. 'It would now depend on the PPDO to identify projects that would be funded by it,' Governor Rhodora Cadiao said in an interview on Tuesday. Cadiao said part of the approved SB2 was for the salary adjustment of permanent capitol employees and the wages of the contract of service employees. The salary adjustment and wages amounted to PHP11 million. 'Approved also in the SB2 is the budget for the 50th Binirayan Festival in the amount of about PHP23 million,' he said. Antique will be celebrating the 50th Binirayan Festival, the provincial festival, this coming December. Nallos said the financial assistance for the barangay solar photovoltaic system was reduced from PHP572 million to PHP300 mi llion, and the budget for the construction of a mini hydro power plant in Sitio Igpatuyao, Barangay Poblacion in Sebaste from PHP18 million to PHP9 million. The budget also covered funds for the livelihood and financial assistance of the Antiqueños. Source: Philippines News Agency