The provincial government’s budget is up by 13% this year or Five Hundred Five Million One Hundred Seventy-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Three (P505,178,833.00) pesos as evidenced by the recently approved Provincial Ordinance No. 263-2009, known as the Annual Appropriation Ordinance of the province of Agusan del Norte for fiscal year 2010.

The budget will be used to fund the provinces operation, maintenance and other support services anchoring mainly on  its  share  of  the       Internal Revenue Allotment from the national government as source of income.

For 2010, the province’s IRA is figured at P453,808.133.00 pesos with an increase of 15% compared to last year. This represents 90% of the total income.                  

Other sources of income are: hospital fees which represents 5% of the revenue, local taxes which is 2% and 3% for operating & miscellaneous revenue.

For expenditures, 36% shall be funded for economic services; 27% for health, nutrition & population; 25% for general services; and 7% for social security and welfare, while 5% is reserved for calamity.

Also, allocated budget for the operation and maintenance of the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (PEEDMO) has increased by 8.03% or P12,288,711.00 pesos.

In his message, Governor Erlpe John M. Amante said that this budget was prepared after thorough deliberation with concerned offices and departments to make it an effective tool to equitably allocate the limited resources to different service categories. It is primarily aimed for a higher and sustainable economic growth through reduction of income disparities, enrichment of social and cultural values, self-sufficiency in food through the agricultural programs, social justice, ecological and environmental enhancement and protection, security through protective services support, coupled with a more vigorous thrust in infrastructure development through national assistance.

“These budgets manifest our determination to lay a strong foundation for a greater and progressive Agusan del Norte,” Governor Amante said.(jay Vincent demain, agnor)