The Negros Occidental provincial government is eyeing an annual budget of PHP6.457 billion in 2025, higher by about 18.8 percent from the previous year's PHP5.43 million, based on the proposal submitted by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to the Provincial Board. The proposed budget has been referred to the committee on budget, finances and ways and means chaired by First District Board Member Rommel Debulgado as of Thursday. 'The 2025 Executive Budget reflects the administration's continued commitment to fully realizing our seven-point development agenda, Abanse Negrense. It has been carefully crafted to guide us in our pursuit for sustained progress and development, with a focus on achieving a Negrense-brand of good governance and growth,' Lacson said in his budget message. Of the PHP6.547 billion, the PHP6.203 billion will go to the General Fund Proper, while the P254.454 million is for the Economic Enterprise Development Department, a special account under the General Fund. The overall increase from the 2024 annual budget is PHP1.022 billion. Lacson said next year's budget was formulated with strict adherence to the necessary fiscal reforms, ensuring that the resources are maximized to meet the provincial government's goals and objectives for Negros Occidental and the Negrenses. The PHP5.43 billion annual budget in 2024 increased by 5.66 percent from PHP5.14 billion in 2023 due to the province's higher National Tax Allotment share. Source: Philippines News agency