The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved the ₱6.078 billion Local Expenditure Program (LEP) for 2026 of the provincial government and is scheduled to be forwarded to the Office of the Governor for signature, Board Member Juan Antonio Alvarez said.
Alvarez, who chairs the Committee on Appropriations of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, noted that a large portion of next year’s LEP is allocated to social services amounting to ₱1.5 billion, particularly for the health sector. This includes improvements in hospital facilities and health services.
“Yung pinakamalaking pinaglaanan ng pondo ay syempre yung priority program ng ating gobernador, yung health na may humigit-kumulang ₱1.4 billion ang nailagay. Na-spread out na yan sa hospitals, gamot, tao sa hospitals, at repairs,” he said.
Programs with large allocations include personnel services at ₱1.4 billion, the 20 percent development fund at ₱1.3 billion, maintenance and other operating expenses at ₱609 million, governance at ₱276 million, and the economic sector at ₱212 million.
Alvarez also defended the seemingly small allocation for the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, which received ₱50 million, explaining that funds for agricultural development were placed under different programs.
“Kung titingnan ay nakapanlilinlang lang kasi ang nakalagay na budget sa agriculture natin ay ₱50 million. Pero ang nangyari doon ay hindi nilagay lahat sa OPA. Nilagay sa development fund yung pambili ng mga equipment, sa GAD program yung livelihood grants sa mga farmers. So hiniwalay-hiwalay yung pondo kaya nagmukha siyang maliit kung titingnan lang ay yung agriculture office,” he explained.
The board member said they did not encounter difficulty in scrutinizing the budget due to good coordination with department heads during the budget deliberations.
He added that Governor Amy Alvarez explained that her main concern remains her campaign promise to prioritize the improvement of health care services and facilities.
“So far sa mga nakausap natin na department heads, naipaliwanag naman nila mabuti at nai-present naman nila yung mga programs. Maayos at madaling naaprubahan yung budget kasi maganda yung naging pakikipag-ugnayan ng dalawang sangay ng gobyerno, yung Sangguniang Panlalawigan at yung executive department, kaya hindi kami masyadong nagkaroon ng problema,” he said.
Alvarez also said that while health services remain the top priority, other departments were likewise considered and given sufficient funding based on their submitted proposals.
He added that new programs are being lined up for 2026, with frameworks and ordinances currently being finalized for proper implementation, particularly in the agriculture sector.
He said the governor is also crafting new programs aimed at helping farmers address persistent problems related to palay and corn production.
