PB to tackle P25.2B investment program today
The Provincial Board is set to tackle anew in today's regular session the P25.2 billion Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP) for 2017-2022 of the Province of Cebu.
Last Monday, Board Member Celestino "Tining" Martinez III sponsored a resolution adopting and approving the five-year PDIP, subject to yearly review and updating.
But the approval was halted because Board Member Raul Bacaltos said he did not receive copies of the proposed measure.
Martinez explained that it was because they are now adopting the paperless session wherein copies of the agenda and the minutes of the previous sessions are sent through email or flash drive and can be browsed using a computer in each of the legislator's table.
While giving such explanation, Martinez moved to defer action of the said resolution until today with assurance to produce hard copies to each of the PB member.
The PDIP is an investment and development plan until 2022, which was already approved by the Provincial Development Council (PDC).
As chairman of the PB committee on budget and appropriations, Martinez said, the plan is subject to annual review whenever the PB will discuss the annual budget.
Once the PB will tackle the 2018 annual budget, the PB members may ask if the proposed projects are in line with PDIP, he said.
Martinez also explained that PDIP will help prevent national government agencies from implementing projects in duplication of those of Cebu Province.
Aside from the PDIP, the PB is also set to discuss Martinez's separate resolution, which is adopting and approving the 2018 Annual Investment Program (AIP) of the Province of Cebu worth P6.683 billion.
This will be funded by the 20 percent share of Internal Revenue Allotment (Development Fund) in the amount of P625 million; the realignment of prior years continuing appropriations and/or prior year savings/ unappropriated surplus and/ or other sources in the amount of P161.910 million; and the general fund- others amounting to P5.896 billion. —
Rubio/KBQ
Gregg M.