IRA 2012 budget cut to
get P6.5B relief: guv
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said the budget cuts in the Internal Revenue Allotment of local government units will not be as bad as expected next year.

That is because President Benigno Aquino, in his speech at the 20th anniversary of the Local Government Code at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Tuesday, said the government has savings to reduce the P13 billion expected cut the  2012 IRA, Marañon said.

The president will provide P6.5 billion to meet the shortfall and the local governments will have to shoulder the rest, the governor said.

A military officer in northern Negros said it is possible the Negros First Ranch in Brgy. Santa Rosa, Murcia, was a target of the New People’s Army men intercepted last week at a checkpoint in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

The officer, who requested anonymity, said the ranch, which will house 1,200 imported breeding cows and sheep, is an ideal target of the NPA, based on their analysis. The rebels were on board two luxury vans, when they were intercepted at the highway of San Carlos City, that leads to Don Salvador Benedicto and Murcia towns.

The Negros First Ranch is a flagship project of Governor Alfredo Marañon for his food security program.

Barangay Taculing bested nine other contestants in the Electric MassKara Performing Float Competition last night that drew thousands of spectators along its route.

First runner-up was Barangay 23 and second runner-up was Brgy. 30, technical director Manny Montelibano said yesterday.

The winners were announced by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia at the Tourism Strip with Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Councilors  Roberto Rojas, Al Victor Espino, Carlos Jose Lopez and Dindo Ramos.