Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said he is proposing a P1.127 billion budget for Negros Occidental in 2008, an increase of P108 million from this year's budget, to meet the increase in salaries of Capitol employees, benefits of health workers, and the rising cost of gasoline.

The proposed P1,127,882,636 budget for 2008 that needs the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will be composed of P102,570,000 in local income and P1,025,312,636 from the Internal Revenue Allotment, he said.

The budget increase is needed to cover the 10 percent salary hike of Capitol employees totaling P27,210,092 and the subsistence, hazard and laundry allowances for health workers under the Magna Carta for Health Workers totaling P50,310,855, he said.

An additional P40,859,000 has also been added to the Capitol's Gender and Development fund.

Set aside for the 20 percent provincial development fund is P200,061,671 and for the five percent calamity fund -- P53,324,132, Marañon said.

Of the P1.2 billion proposed budget the bulk totaling P519 billion will go to personal services, P251 million to maintenance and other operating expenses and P356 million to non-office expenses, he added.

Meanwhile, the governor said the provincial government has spent P11,564,256 for provincial road maintenance and bridge structures in Candoni town.

The governor issued the explanation following the allegation by Candoni Mayor Ceciro Borromeo that the provincial government has not provided adequate assistance to his town.*CPG

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