CITING concerns over low revenue collection and fiscal sustainability, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Misamis Oriental approved a P3.3 billion budget for the provincial government on Jan. 12, significantly trimming the administration’s proposed P4.4 billion spending plan.
The approved figure represents a massive reduction in spending power compared to the province’s P5.8 billion budget in 2025.
SP Committee on Appropriations Chair Rommel Maslog said the P1.1 billion cut was necessary to align spending with actual income performance. He noted that the province has been collecting only about 50% of its projected revenues, making the proposed budget unrealistic.
Maslog likened the administration’s proposal to counting chicks before they hatch.
“But nakita gyud namo nga halos 50 percent ra ang makolekta, mao nga para sa amo, ang bloated budget mura kag ga-ihap og piso nga wala pa napusa,” Maslog said.
He emphasized that revenue assumptions must be grounded on actual collections rather than projections that may not materialize.
Maslog added that the P3.3 billion figure actually aligns with a previous statement from Governor Juliette Uy regarding the province’s financial realities.
“Dapat ipa-us-us daw niya sa three-point-something billion, align gyud sa public announcement sa governor, mao sad na ang nakita namo, so there’s a difference of P1.1 billion,” he said.
The Governor’s Office expressed disappointment with the slash, arguing that the full P4.4 billion is necessary to maintain essential government services.
Assistant to the Governor Celco Abucejo defended the integrity of the proposed budget, stating that the questions raised during the deliberations were not about the credibility of the specific items but strictly about the income cap.
“Mao ning gikinahanglan sa katawhan, mao ni ang kinahanglan mag-operate ang atong LGU Province ilawom sa klaro nga income nga P4.4 billion,” Abucejo said.
