The Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations holds a budget preparation seminar-workshop for LGUs

In order to help the local government units advance in the alignment and preparation of programs and budget, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cavite, together with the Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Budget Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Cavite Province Association of Local Budget Officers, League of Local Planning & Development Coordinators of the Philippines, Inc., held a Seminar-Workshop on Annual Investment and Local Expenditure Programs Preparation on March 15, 2023 at Twin Lakes Hotel, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Laurel, Batangas.

At the beginning of the activity, Engr. Mildred Purification, President of LLPDCPI, acknowledged the presence of guests and participants from the cities and municipalities in the province of Cavite. Hon. Aidel Paul Belamide, 5^th District Board Member and Chair of Committee on Finance, Budget, & Appropriations, then delivered a welcome remark saying “We hope that this event would be fun, engaging and enjoyable for all of us.”

8^th District Board Member Hon. Irene Bencito thanked everyone for their time and effort in attending such an important activity to help local government units in undertaking financial planning and providing effective and efficient public services for the benefit of their people. “Ang mga gawaing ito ay para sa ating probinsya, gagawin natin ito para sa pag-unlad,” she outlined.

Following that, Hon. Maurito Sison, 6^th District Board Member and Majority Floor Leader, said on a lighter note “Sigurado ako, after this seminar, next year po January pa lang, pasado na po ang mga budget niyo. Iyan ay kung magpapasa ng maaga.” He went on to say that they believe in the skills and capabilities of the Provincial Budget Officer and Planning and Development Coordinator, as well as the dedication and perseverance of the committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations. He concluded his message stating “Lahat po ng hindi pa naaayos ay pipiliting po naming maayos.”

The activity was divided into two sessions, the first half was allotted to talks of the resource speakers. Engr. Lorna Leyran, PPDO head, shared her knowledge and insights on Annual Investment and Local Expenditure Program Preparation while, Ms. Ma. Dulce Tangc, PBO head, presented the Local Expenditure Program and Local Budget Forms Preparation.

In the second part of the program, LGUs were given a faulty AIP exercise that required them to identify and resolve for one and a half hours. Following the workshop, four local government units were selected to present the output of their work.

As a result of the discussions and exercises, attendees were able to gain learnings on the ABCs and 123s of their work, how they will put words into numbers, as Budget Officers and Planning Coordinators.

Likewise, Ms. Rhowena D. Alcantara, Bacoor City Planning and Development Coordinator, and Ms. Melissa Dumalag, Naic Municipal Budget Officer, gave their testimonials and expressed their sincere appreciation to Engr. Leyran for proper coding and expected output wordings in AIP, Ms. Tangco for proper forms presentation, and for the effort and care of the initiatives of the said event, particularly Hon. Belamide. “Let us do our best to help our cities and municipalities number everything properly” Ms. Alcantara stated.

In wrapping up the program, BM Aidel Paul Belamide affirmed how happy and thankful he was for everyone’s participation in the seminar-workshop and quoted “You have given your attention, shared your talents and knowledge that allowed us to understand budget preparation better.” He then recognized the effort of all staff for making the activity possible and successful.

The highlight of the event was the turnover of money to the Association of Provincial Budget Officers and Association of Planning and Development Coordinators.

Vice Governor Athena Bryana Tolentino showed her support by coming to the program and acknowledging the hard work of everyone in continuing the enhancement of the province. She was joined by BM Davey Christian Chua and BM Nickanor Austria, Jr. Also in attendance were BM Marcos Amutan, BM Fulgencio Dela Cuesta, BM Romel Enriquez, BM Rainier Ambion and Provincial Treasurer Ms. Adelina Martal.