By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo provincial government has shifted the proposed PHP 20-million intelligence fund in its 2025 budget to the donations budget, as confirmed by Fourth District Board Member Domingo Oso Jr., chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
“Last week, during the first reading [of the 2025 annual budget], the local finance committee, under the governor’s direction, requested an amendment to transfer the intelligence fund to the donations budget amounting to PHP 20 million,” Oso said.
He explained that the reallocated funds would still be used for peace and order activities, but the change ensures stricter procedures.
“While it may seem like only the term was changed, the donations budget requires specific supporting documents for expenditures, unlike the intelligence fund, which is general in nature,” he added.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the 2025 budget on December 17, totaling PHP 5.977 billion. This includes PHP 4.849 billion for the General Fund and PHP 1.128 billion for the Local Economic Enterprise.
General Fund: PHP 4,849,438,886
- Personal Services: PHP 1,187,154,216
- Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE): PHP 1,787,834,285
- Capital Outlay: PHP 10,000,000
- Special Purpose Appropriations: PHP 1,864,450,385
Local Economic Enterprise: PHP 1,127,641,541
- Personal Services: PHP 423,209,537
- MOOE: PHP 704,432,004
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. emphasized that the 2025 budget prioritizes critical infrastructure projects such as road connectivity, electricity, internet access, and water systems, alongside provincial counterparts for national government initiatives.
“We strive to make it development-oriented. The emphasis is on the development side,” Defensor said.
