BONTOC, Mountain Province – Aimed at bringing its services closer to the community amidst the pandemic, concerned offices of the Bontoc municipal government went around the barangays to conduct budget orientations.
Of the 16 barangays of Bontoc, only four barangays were not covered, namely, Tocucan, Caluttit, Maligcong, and Gonogon.
Municipal Budget Officer Aida Lingbanan explained that before the conduct of the barangay orientation, the 12 barangays requested from the municipal government for the conduct of budget orientation in their respective barangays. These are barangays Alab Proper, Alab Oriente, Balili, Mainit, Guina-ang, Dalican, Bayyo, Talubin, Can-eo, Samoki, Bontoc Ili and Poblacion.
Lingbanan then tapped other concerned offices for the activity, thus, aside from the Office of the Municipal Budget Officer, the Office of the Municipal Treasurer, Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) joined the said activity.
Lingbanan lectured on Budget Preparation; Municipal Treasurer Lourdes Austria discussed on the sources of income, collection, and Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA); Municipal Planning and Development Officer Virginia Kawi explained the utilization of the 20% Development Fund, and MDRRM Officer Johanna Padaen explained about the 5% Calamity Fund.
Present during the budget orientation were barangay functionaries to include the barangay officials, Sangguniang Kabataan officials, Lupong Tagapamayapa, Tanod members, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Daycare Workers, midwives, and the village elders.
With the presence of all the barangay functionaries, most of the participants expressed their appreciation for the conduct of the budget orientation adding that they now have a better understanding of the barangay’s sources of fund and how the budget is being spent. 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.
Meanwhile, Lingbanan remarked that most of the barangays have already submitted their Barangay Annual Budget for Calendar Year 2021 for review and approval by the Sangguniang Bayan. By Alpine L. Killa
