P5.7-B Prop. Budget to be OK’d on Oct. 23

PANGASINAN 2024

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The vice governor of Pangasinan promised the provincial administrator that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (S.P) (lawmaking body) he heads will expedite the deliberation of the P5.7 billion 2024 proposed appropriation ordinance of the administration of Governor Ramon V. Guico, III by passing it on October 23.

TOP GUNS. (from left photo and clockewise): Pangasinan Governor Ramon "Monmon" V. Guico, III, Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino and Provincial Administrator Ely Patague.

Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino told Provincial Administrator Melicio “Ely” F. Patague, II on the meeting held at the Ceremonial Hall of the Urduha House here on October 9 that the first reading by the legislative body will be on October 16 and the second and third or final reading will be on October 26.

“Ang instruction po ni governor ay magsubmit na po sa S.P…para hindi na tayo mahuli kung ano po ang sinasabi ng Local Government Code,” Patague said of the urgent request from Governor Guico for the marathon sessions the lawmaking body needs to do.

According to Sta. Barbara Executive Assistant – IV Sherwin N. Pioquinto – a three terms Councilor – the first hearing on October 16 will be the announcement of what committees are tasked to deliberate on the next year’s budget.

“The committees can discuss that between October 16 to October 23 or deliberate it on October 23 before the second and third reading on the same day,” he told Northern Watch Newspaper.

Patague said the P5.7 billion is not final as it can be subjected to amendment by the S.P.