The Regional Development Council (RDC) VI recently endorsed the proposed budgets of 25 key regional line agencies and the 12 state-run universities and colleges in Western Visayas for fiscal year 2023 amounting to P215.017 billion. Said budget proposals include priority programs and projects intended to push the development agenda of the region. The endorsement came during the RDC VI 1st Quarter Full Council Meeting held on 31 March 2022 via Zoom.
The breakdown of the proposed budgets by sector and agency is reflected in the table below.
Three-fourths (75.88%) of the total amount comprise the budget proposals of three agencies, namely: Department of Public Works and Highways with the highest at P88.72 billion (41.26%), followed by Department of Education with P57.9 billion (26.93%), and Department of Social Welfare and Development with P16.5 billion (7.68%).
As shown in the chart below, proposed budget for programs and projects for infrastructure development amounted to P95.41 billion (44.38%); social development, P101.72 billion (47.31%); economic development, P15.38 million (7.15%); and development administration, P2.51 billion (1.17%).
Prior to the Council endorsement, the proposed budgets underwent the scrutiny of the expanded RDC Executive Committee members held last February 21 to 24 and 28. This year’s budget review assessed the implementation-readiness of proposed programs and projects and their responsiveness to local and national development plans and targets. During the deliberations, the Council ensured that the proposed programs consider the challenges under the “new normal” with the continuing impact of the pandemic, as well as the Mandanas Ruling. Special attention was also given on climate change expenditures in line with the tracking of the progress of climate change initiatives in the region.
The endorsed budget proposals will be submitted to the agency central offices and the Department of Budget and Management for possible inclusion in the FY 2023 National Expenditure Program.(RCYap/NEDA6)
