ROXAS City – Most of the P7.4-billion annual investment program (AIP) fund for 2018 of the Capiz provincial government was allocated for social services.
Of the amount, some P1.59 billion will come from local funds while around P5.8 billion will be from external funds.
Social services got the biggest share with P812.8 million.
The Provincial Development Council approved the budget on Oct. 5.
General public services got the next biggest share with P492.2 million. Economic services had P266.6 million and other services, P20.4 million.
The social services fund will cover programs on education and manpower development, health, nutrition and population control, housing and community development, and social security, social services and welfare, said Gov. Antonio del Rosario.
Under the 2018 AIP, hospital equipment and facilities – particularly at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital and four provincial government-run district hospitals – will be upgraded, del Rosario noted.
During the Oct. 5 PDC meeting, the governor stressed the importance of presenting the budget to the stakeholders, including the mayors.
“We want the provincial government to be transparent in our programs and other transactions because we use people’s money,” he said.
The AIP is composed of the budget of the general fund and the proposed programs, projects and activities to be funded by the 20-percent development fund, special fund, calamity fund, gender and development fund, and external sources. (PIA/PN)