LEGAZPI CITY—The national government has allocated P131 million for various agricultural projects in the Bicol region under the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) approach.
In a joint memorandum circular issued by the departments of Budget and Management, Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development and the National Anti-Poverty Commission, all heads of the departments involved in the implementation would release the fund for BUB 2015 projects to implementing agencies as part of the General Appropriations Act.
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Regional Information Officer Ed Bailon said Camarines Sur got the biggest allocation at P35.3 million for the purchase of planting seeds and organic fertilizers, procurement of equipment, infrastructure and livelihood for farmers.
Sorsogon was allocated P24.1 million, followed by Albay with P21.5 million; Camarines Norte, P20.8 million; Catanduanes, P6.7 million; and Masbate, P6.6 million.
Bailon said that, in the Bicol region, 109 local government units (LGUs) have substantially implemented their Financial Management Improvement for calendar years 2014 and 2015.
“This means that they are qualified for the 2015 Bottom-up Budgeting fund,” he said.
In Albay, according to Bailon, most of the projects to be implemented within the year are infrastructure facilities, provision of agricultural machines, sustainable agri-based livelihood and other agri-business investments and distribution of assorted vegetables.
The BUB process is focused on engaging 300 to 400 of the poorest municipalities identified by the Cabinet’s Human Development and Poverty Reduction cluster.
Local-level engagement will be facilitated via relevant government agencies, local community leaders, LGUs and partner-civic organizations.
PNA