Provincial seal of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte Provincial Development Council convened a
meeting at the provincial auditorium to re-program some PHP113.7 million of the
development fund for 2017.
Following the new guidelines from the Department of Budget and Management
and the Department of Interior and Local Government, seeking to enhance
transparency and accountability of the local government units in the
utilization of the 20 percent development fund, this compelled the Ilocos Norte
government to make new listings in utilizing its remaining development fund
this year.
This is pursuant to Section 287 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local
Government Code of 1991, which states that: “each (LGU) shall appropriate in
its annual budget no less than 20 percent of its annual (IRA) for development
projects.”
Under the updated guidelines, the approved local development plans and
annual investment program (AIP), which should be directly supportive of the
Philippine Development Plan and the Public Investment Program should reflect
the LGUs’ priority development projects.
For Ilocos Norte’s annual investment program this year, over PHP68.8
million were for its economic development projects. These include the
construction and improvement of provincial roads, additional construction of
farm to market roads and purchase of hauling or delivery trucks for onion
production, marketing and trading enterprise, provision of farm equipment and
facilities, upgrade of four fish facilities, procurement of refrigerated vans,
wing vans and establishments of fish and soils laboratory.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Development Council also enacted a budget of more
than PHP23.1 million for its social services ranging from improvement and
rehabilitation of district hospitals, multi-purpose halls, acquisition of
medical equipment and provision of street lights.
On environment management aspect, the PDC also re-appropriated a total of
PHP21,770,713 for the greening of Ilocos Norte highway particularly around the
Currimao port-fly in cruise route, including the Laoag airport connecting to
major tourism sites here.
Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos explained that
they can no longer use the 20 percent development funds to pay personnel
salaries and benefits; administrative expenses and allowances among others.
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