Nat’l gov’t allots P1.86 B for poverty reduction projects in EV

TACLOBAN CITY – The national government has committed to allocate P1.86 billion fund for poverty reduction projects in 2014 covering 115 cities and municipalities in Eastern Visayas with high magnitude of poor families.

The number of covered local government units is more than double than the 55 cities and municipalities listed in 2013 with only P661 million funding under the bottom-up budgeting approach.

 “The national government had raised the minimum budget support from P8 million in this year to P15 million in 2014 because need for more intervention to poor families is there,” said Department of Budget and Management Regional Director Imelda Laceras.

 Included in the 2014 bottom up budgeting are focused LGUs in 2013, areas with poverty incidence of 20% based on 2009 Small Area Estimates and 2010 census data, magnitude of poor population living in disaster prone areas, and high economic potential areas with high poor population as identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

 Funding support will be channeled through the budget of Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Tourism, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and National Electrification Administration.

 In Biliran, these areas are Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Kawayan, Naval, Arteche in Biliran with an allocation of P90 million.

 Eastern Samar will get a budget of P257 million for Balangiga, Borongan City, Can-avid, Dolores, General Macarthur, Giporlos, Guiuan, Lawaan, Llorente, Maydolong, Oras, Quinapondan, Salcedo, San Julian, San Policarpo, Sulat, and Taft.

 Leyte has the most number of covered areas – Abuyog, Alangalang, Albuera, Babatngon, Barugo, Bato, Baybay City, Burauen, Calubian, Capocan, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Jaro, Javier, Kananga, La Paz, Leyte, Macarthur, Mahaplag, Matag-ob, Matalom, Mayorga, Merida, Ormoc City, Palo, Palompon, Pastrana, San Isidro, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tabango, Tacloban City, Tanauan, and Villaba with a funding support of P633 million.

 In Northern Samar, with a budget of P331 million, listed areas are Allen, Biri, Bobon, Capul, Catarman, Catubig, Gamay, Laoang, Lapinig, Las Navas, Lavezares, Lope de vega, Mapanas, Mondragon, Palapag, Pambujan, San Isidro, San Jose, San Roque, Silvino Lobos, and Victoria.

 Some P400 million will be set aside for Basey, Calbayog City, Calbiga, Catbalogan City, Daram, Gandara, Hinabangan, Jiabong, Marabut, Matuguinao, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Sta. Rita, Sto. Nino, Tagapul-an, Tarangnan, Villareal, and Zumarraga in Samar.

 The towns Bontoc, Hinunangan, Libagon, Liloan, Maasin City, Macrohon, Malitbog, Saint Bernard, Sogod, and Tomas Oppus will receive projects worth P153 million in 2014.

 Laceras said bottom-up budgeting is an approach to preparing the budget proposals of agencies taking into consideration the development needs of poor local government units as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans.

 These plans are being formulated with strong participation of basic sector organizations and other civil society groups. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)

Short URL: http://leytesamardaily.net/?p=39048

Posted by lsde on Mar 2 2013. Filed under News1. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.