PGNV’s 2022 Budget proposal is now with the DBM

PGNV’s 2022 Budget proposal is now with the DBM

Provincial Appropriation Act No. 2021-01, or “An Ordinance enacting and authorizing the Provincial Appropriation Act of Nueva Vizcaya for Fiscal Year 2022 in the total amount of P2,289,712,271.72 covering various expenditures for the operation of the Provincial Government for Fiscal Year 2022 and appropriating the necessary funds for the purpose” has finally reached Governor Carlos M. Padilla on January 17, 2022 for his requisite approval.

Provincial Budget Officer Virginia N. Iglesias confirmed this afternoon, January 19, 2022 that the said Governor-approved Ordinance, along with its accompanying documents, was thereafter immediately endorsed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for mandatory review, a penultimate step prior to its execution or implementation by all concerned offices and their partner institutions.

Governor Padilla’s approval came only after more than two months of grueling sessions/hearings on his budget proposal under the authority and direction of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SPNV), headed by Vice Governor and Presiding Officer Jose D Tomas, Sr.

Although the Ordinance was approved in principle by the SPNV during its 104th Regular Session held at the People’s Hall, Provincial Capitol on December 20, 2021, it was signed by the Board Members and the Vice Governor only on January 17, 2022.

Local government officers and other leaders attribute the protracted conduct of the legislative process to the issues raised by the Vice Governor and his allies, which were basically anchored on the alleged illegal personality of the Ad hoc Committee that was created by the SPNV itself to scrutinize the proposed PGNV’s 2022 Budget prior to its en banc deliberation.

The compromised addition of the following provision to the Ordinance which, to a layman, has no clear connection to the questioned Ad hoc Committee broke the stalemate and paved the way for the eventual passage by the SPNV of the subject legislative measure: “SECTION 6. PRIORITY SPECIAL CONDITION. That in the initial Supplemental Budget for CY 2022, the proposed funding for casuals and Contract of Service under the Vice Governor’s Office will be granted.”

Under the Local Government Code (LGC), this provincial government planning and budgeting exercise involves the following steps: Preparation that is spearheaded by the Local Chief Executive (LCE); Legislation or authorization by the SP and LCE; Review by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM); Execution or implementation by all concerned parties; and Accountability procedures that also involve certain national government regulatory agencies.