Negros’ LGUs budget
cut by P940M in 2012

The Negros Occidental provincial government, and its 13 cities and 19 towns are faced with a P940,585,592 Internal Revenue Allotment cut next year because of poor tax collections during the Arroyo administration three years ago, Provincial Budget Officer  Jose Percival Salado Jr. said yesterday.

That means that the total IRA allotment of P8,974,699,314  this year, will drop to P8,034,113,722 in 2012.

Salado said the Department of Budget and Management released a report on the IRA rates for 2012 to enable local governments to adjust their corresponding budgets.

The IRA shares of local governments for an upcoming year are based on tax collections made three years earlier, he explained.

Typhoid fever deaths in Negros Occidental have reached 16, while leptospirosis fatalities remained at 12 this year, the latest Provincial Health Office surveillance reports released yesterday showed.

There was only one typhoid fever death in Negros Occidental last year.

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Officer, said from January 1 to September 10, there were 16 typhoid fever deaths with two in Hinigaran and one each in Kabankalan City, Calatrava, San Carlos City, Isabela, Silay City, Sagay City, Talisay City, Himamaylan City, Cauayan, Cadiz City, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Bago City, E.B. Magalona, and Toboso.

The provincial auditor of the Commission on Audit has recommended the approval of the Negros Occidental provincial government’s contract for the sale and lease of its P7.7-hectare property in Bacolod City to Ayala Land.

Provincial COA Auditor Ernie Villa yesterday said that on Wednesday  he submitted his comments and recommendation on the contract that was sought by the COA regional director.

The regional COA office is expected to submit this week its recommendations on the contract to the Commission’s head office in Manila for the issuance of a resolution, he said.