The Provincial Development Council yesterday approved the allocation of P368 million for the 2013 Provincial Development Fund, and the 2013 Annual Investment Program of Negros Occidental.

The PDC approval is a requirement for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to also approve the proposed P2,020,399,008 budget of the Negros Occidental provincial government for 2013.

At its meeting presided over by Gov. Alfredo Marañon at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, the PDC, also approved the allocation of P170 million of the P368 million for the amortization on the provincial government’s loans.

The loans were made with the Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine National Bank and the Development Bank of the Philippines for various projects.

This leaves P198 million available for other projects, for which the PDC, in the resolution, gave the governor authority to determine and allocate funds.

San Enrique Mayor Mario Magno moved for the approval of the 20 percent PDF for 2013, which was seconded by Cadiz Mayor Patrick Escalante.

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal reported on the accomplishments of the provincial government for 2010-201, while Bonifacio Belen presented the Negros First CyberCenter feasibility study.

The PDC passed a resolution asking that the presentation of Belen be made also before the SP.

Marañon pointed out that Belen showed how the cyber center will not only create thousands of jobs but, through its rentals, will be able to pay for itself within 8 to 9 years, after which, its earnings can be used for various projects of the provincial government, he added.

This is beyond politics, the cyber center is a project that will serve Negrenses for generations to come, the governor said.

“We have to keep up with the changing times and new technology, we cannot rely on just sugar, we have to create other industries, too,” he stressed.

Among the mayors present at the PDC meeting, aside from Magno and Escalante, were Evello Valencia of Toboso, Lourdes Escalante of Manapla, Jose Montelibano of Silay, David Albert Lacson of EB Magalona, Juliet Marie Ferrer of La Carlota, Emmanuel Aranda of Binalbagan and Francisco Nazareno of Moises Padilla.*CPG

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