TACLOBAN CITY- The provincial board of Leyte approved for the second time the annual budget for 2014 in the amount of P1.70 billion. Earlier, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) return the proposed budget due to failure to comply some required forms, Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said. And on June 9, the provincial board approved anew the P1,701,210,844 budget after they complied the needed forms asked by the DBM. Vice Gov. Loreto said that they approved the budget October of last year but it was returned to them by the DBM for some corrections. The DBM reviews and approves annual budgets of provincial governments. Among the required forms that were not complied according to the manual of DBM included form of the local finance committee and form to be signed by Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla. The budget was sent immediately by the provincial board after complying the corrections, Loreto said. Loreto said that the 2014 budget is 10% higher than the 2013 budget. The provincial government of Leyte programs, thrusts and priorities are information and communication technology, tourism development, livelihood for the youth with values formation, improved health care and nutrition, upgraded facilities and personnel services, infrastructure program. (LIZBETH ANN ABELLA)
