P231.6-M SB3 approved; P40M allotted for hiring of district hospitals’ staff

Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez (center) and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale (left) are in a huddle during a break in an April 25, 2016 session. (CDN FILE PHOTO)

A P40-million budget has been allotted for the hiring of additional staff of the 16 district hospitals in the province’s general fund proper of this year’s P231.6 million Supplemental Budget (SB) 3, which was approved by the Provincial Board (PB) on Monday.

“The Provincial Health Office (PHO) is requesting for an additional P40 million to support additional staff. This is for around 400 health support staff to improve services,” said PB member Grecilda Sanchez, Chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, during the PB’s regular session on Monday afternoon.

Provincial budget officer Danilo Rodas, who was present during the session, explained that the PHO’s target for hospital staff is 1,022. But currently, they only have around 800 staff. The additional workers that will be hired will be distributed to the 16 different district hospitals in the province.

A P35-million budget was also allocated in the general fund proper of SB 3 for the salaries of around 490 job order (JO) employees of the Capitol for the months of July until December this year.

Identified fund sources for the general fund proper appropriations in the SB 3 are: savings from personal services (P54 million), maintenance and other operating expenditures (P86.5 million) and capital outlay (P220,000) under this year’s annual budget; and savings from the capital outlay appropriations 2015 budget amounting to P8.5 million and in the year 2014 worth P7.7 million.

The SB also includes a realignment of the Local Assistance Fund (LAF) amounting to P26.8 million from the budget of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to the Office of the Vice Governor after the Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the giving of the LAF to the PB members which is like a local pork barrel for them (See separate story on Page 6).

Other approved appropriations under the general fund proper include P15 million for the Governor’s Office intended for subsidy to local government units; P15 million for the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) as assistance to individuals in crisis situations; and P10 million for the community-based farmer scientist research development and extension training program among others.

The PB also approved a P30-million budget for development projects and activities under the Governor’s Office. The allocation includes P10 million for

The allocation includes P10 million for water supply development program and P20 million for assistance or subsidy to LGUs or institutions on investment or capital expenditure projects and activities.

Another P44 million was appropriated for the operation of hospitals account. This is intended for night differentials and holiday premiums for the province’s district hospitals.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III submitted the proposed SB 3 to the PB last June 8 saying the proposed items in it are “urgent.”

In a press conference yesterday, Davide told reporters that he’s thankful to the PB for immediately approving the additional budget.