Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has called on all department heads and division chiefs of the provincial government to align their 2026 budget proposals with the administration’s core thrust of prioritizing the needs of the underprivileged.
Speaking at a budget forum held today at Ammungan Hall, Provincial Capitol, Governor Gambito emphasized that government resources should be focused on delivering services that directly address the needs and wants of the people, rather than the preferences of individual offices.
“The services we deliver should not be what we want, but what our constituents want. What they want is what they need, and what they need is what’s good for them. This should be our mindset,” Governor Gambito said. “We can never go wrong if the thrust of our government is to give the people what they want.”
He also stressed the importance of prioritizing assistance to those at the margins of society, saying that helping the underprivileged first will eventually benefit all sectors. “Let us prioritize helping those at the bottom of society. When we start helping those at the margins, the benefits will eventually reach those in the middle and even those at the top. He added that by addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, the government can create a ripple effect that uplifts the entire community, leading to broader social and economic improvements.
Governor Gambito also discouraged the conduct of unnecessary seminars and workshops, stating that these only waste government funds. “Let’s just give the people what they want,” he added.
For the 2026 budget, Governor Gambito assured the continuation of flagship projects such as the “Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan,” “Dalan ti Umili,” ,”Free Wifi ti Umili”, “-Silaw ti Umili,” the solarization of the provincial government, tourism infrastructure, OFW welfare programs, scholarship programs, employment and livelihood initiatives, as well as enhanced social and health services. He also announced the establishment of a palay processing center to support local farmers and the allocation of funds for the planned purchase of the Calderon lot, which is expected to further enhance the province’s development initiatives.
The budget forum, led by the Provincial Budget Office under Provincial Budget Officer Virginia N. Iglesias, aims to provide comprehensive guidelines for departments and offices in preparing and submitting their budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2026. “This forum is crucial for ensuring that all budget proposals align with the approved Annual Investment Plan and the provincial government’s priorities,” Iglesias stated. “Our goal is to guarantee that every peso is spent effectively and directly addresses the needs of our constituents, fostering sustainable development in our province.”
The different departments and divisions of the provincial government are given until July 25 to submit their budget proposals. These proposals will undergo a technical budget hearing with the Local Finance Committee before being submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for review and final approval. /RMI
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