Board to discuss P25.2B PDIP

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) will take up tomorrow a proposed resolution approving the P25.2 billion Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP) for 2017-2022 of the Province of Cebu.

Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, committee on budget and appropriations chair, said this will prevent national government agencies from implementing projects in duplication of those of Cebu Province.

Martinez cited as example that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will no longer allocate funds to projects that are listed under PDIP.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) may look for other projects for farmers and fishermen if they know the projects being prioritized by the administration of Gov. Hilario Davide III from 2017 to 2022.

He said PDIP is an investment and development plan until 2022, which was already approved by the Provincial Development Council (PDC) composed of Cebu Provincial Government, local government units (LGUs) and the private sector.

“This is a plan which is subject to annual review every time the Provincial Board will discuss the annual budget,” Martinez said.

For example, once the PB will tackle the 2018 annual budget, the PB members may ask if the proposed projects are in line with PDIP.

The PB will also discuss the 2018 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of Cebu Province in the amount of P6.683 billion.

The AIP budgets are P5.8 billion in General Fund (personnel, among others); P625 million in the 20 percent of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) called Development Fund; and P161.9 in continuing appropriations.

The Development Fund for 2018 will include 130 kms. of road projects.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said that opening more roads will make easy transportation of goods and services and will spark development in remote areas.