BONTOC, Mountain Province – Aimed to improve and hasten the preparation and submission of necessary financial documents being submitted by the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs), a one-day Barangay Budget Orientation was conducted on September 6, 2023, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol Auditorium.
The activity was facilitated by the Office of the Municipal Budget Officer, Office of the Municipal Treasurer, and Office of the Municipal Accountant. To ensure that the queries of the participants will be answered, Municipal Budget Officer Aida Lingbanan, Assistant Municipal Treasurer Mellicynth Yodong, and Municipal Accountant Yolanda Comafay are present during the whole duration of the activity. Also in attendance is Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Lourdes Claire Peel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
In his message, Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., urged the BLGUs to raise their issues and concerns for a wide understanding of the barangay’s sources of funds and how the budget is being spent.
He reminded the BLGUs to prepare earlier their respective Barangay Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 and to ensure that all financial transactions and documents are in order during the turnover for the new set of incoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. It is to be noted that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) is scheduled on October 30, 2023. The term of the new barangay and SK officials will be effective noon of November 30, 2023.
In an open forum, the respective barangays were able to raise their concerns, especially on their expenses which should be within the means of their budget and in adherence to all regulatory laws and guidelines.
Under Republic Act 7160, Barangay Budget for the next Fiscal Year should be submitted by the Punong Barangay to the Sangguniang Barangay on or before October 16 of the current year.