(PNA Bacolod file photo) BACOLOD CITY - The Negros Occidental provincial government will prioritize spending only for flagship projects and essentials next year with the expected loss of PHP700 million in its national tax allotment (NTA) share in 2023. The lower 2023 NTA can be attributed to reduced tax collection in 2020 when the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic hit the country. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Wednesday the province will have to reduce its maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) at 30 percent across-the-board for next year's annual provincial budget. "The biggest adjustment is we have to reduce MOOE to cover the at least PHP700 million loss in the NTA. All the offices got their share of the burden to reduce the MOOE," he added. Diaz said despite this, the province will push for the funding of the flagship projects announced by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson during his inauguration for his second term, including those
TO OPEN SOON. The Food Terminal Market of Negros Occidental along the North Capitol Road in Bacolod City. The provincial government's Economic Enterprise Development Department has awarded contracts to lessees of 55 stalls as of Aug. 3, 2022.(File photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental) BACOLOD CITY - The Negros Occidental provincial government is tapping its economic enterprise facilities, particularly the food terminal market located at the North Capitol Road here, to generate bigger income as the province expects a lower annual budget in 2023. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Wednesday, the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) was set to sign contracts with the lessees. "This is the challenge given to us by Governor (Eugenio Jose) Lacson," he told reporters. On Tuesday, Lacson said he wanted to start the operations of the Food Terminal Market of Negros Occidental as it would mean additional income for the province. The national tax allot