The 11^th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cagayan approved the 2023 Annual Budget of the province amounting to THREE BILLION FIVE HUNDRED THIRTEEN MILLION ONE HUNDRED FOUR THOUSAND SEVENTY-SIX PESOS (3,513,104,476.00) during the conduct of the 56^th regular session, last August 23, 2023 at the SP Session Hall, Capitol Hills, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

After the tedious deliberations and judicious consideration of all budget proposals by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by the Vice Governor Hon. Melvin “Boy” Vargas, Jr., majority of the members decided and authorized to have more fund allocation in the different sectors of the province especially under agriculture, health, education, Aid to Barangays and Development Assistance to Local Government Units. 

The members stressed that the budget of the province should also augment the allocation of funds on the aforementioned sectors in addition to the priority Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs) because it is where the subsidies and benefits for the Cagayanos are sourced. 

Moreover, VG Boy Vargas emphasized that the province must focus on the projects and programs that are geared towards the development and advancement of interest of every Cagayano especially when it caters services for health, education and livelihood. Hence, the allocation of funds must always consider the farmers, less privileged, deserving students and the operation and maintenance expenses of the different district hospitals in the province.

“The distribution and grant of enough budgets for our barangays and towns will be beneficial for our local government officials in conducting their own programs and projects in their localities”, he added.

The members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are also hopeful that based on their recent proposals and recommendations in the authorization of this year’s budget the executive branch of the Provincial Government will consider their inputs especially in its implementation and consider their propositions in the upcoming 2024 annual budget.