Negros Oriental provincial board members have agreed not to override the veto of Governor Roel Degamo after a move to slash the intelligence fund for 2012 by 50 percent.

The province has allocated P 10 million budget for the intelligence fund of the Office of the Governor.

Board Member Erwin Michael Macias, said the move to slash the Intelligence fund by P5 million is intended to allocate additional budget for the purchase of medicines for the six Community Primary Hospitals in Negros Oriental.

Macias said he was not present when the provincial board discussed the veto message of the governor, but added that he respects the decision of the members of the board, if they believe it was for the benefit of the greater majority.

He said the additional budget for the purchase of medicines could help improve the health services of the residents in the hinterland barangays of the province.   

Present at the regular session were board members Liland Estacion,  Georgita Martinez, Miguel Angelo Teves, Scott Wayne Husain, Rodrigo Alanano, Jessica Villanueva-Koppin , Saleto Erames and presiding officer Vice Governor Apolinario Arnaiz, Jr. 

Degamo said the P10 million intelligence fund was already approved under the annual investment plan.

Degamo said the maintenance of peace and order is a priority investment of the provincial government for the welfare of the people and for economic development.

The DILG memorandum circular provides that local government units have to allocate funds for Intelligence, or confidential purposes, that should not exceed 30 percent of the total amount allocated to the peace and order budget.

 Degamo said the amount allocated for peace and order  for 2012 was P48 million. The 30 percent of the budget is equivalent to P14 million, and indicates that the P10 million is lower what is allowed in the memorandum circular of DILG.*MA

back to top