More projects for Cebu next year

CEBU – The Cebu provincial government will continue to focus on building vital infrastructure projects next year, including the upgrading of 16 government hospitals that it runs.

This is outlined in Cebu Provincial Government's P10 billion Annual Investment Program (AIP) for 2023 which contains the Capitol’s development programs and projects. 

Next year’s AIP, which is higher from the P8.5 billion AIP allocated this year, was presented to and was approved unanimously by the Provincial Development Council. 

Gov. Gwen Garcia said she will continue to focus on vital infrastructure, citing the development of roads, bridges, and water system development in the province. She likewise assured that the Provincial Government will focus on the upgrading of provincial and district hospitals, saying “this is what the Cebuanos deserve” from the country’s premier province. 

“We will focus on all these vital infrastructure, including the upgrading of all of our hospitals, because that is what the Cebuanos deserve - nothing but the best for the best province in the entire country," Gov. Garcia told the Provincial Council. 

Capitol’s development fund is more than 20% of National Tax Allotment (NTA) for next year which amounts to only P1.2 billion, the minimum required by the Department of Budget and Management for local governments. 

Based on the 2023 AIP, about P3 billion of the budget will be allotted for road and bridge infrastructure development program (including street lighting); P3 billion for water system development program; P3 billion for construction and improvement of health facilities; P357 million for construction and improvement of buildings; and P100 million for construction of drainage systems and flood control projects; among others.

A P300 million budget is also being programmed for airport and seaport development projects; P123 million for the agriculture sector; P20 million for socio-economic faculties; P50 million for development and restoration of cultural heritage buildings; and P50 million for acquisition of vehicles. (Junjie Mendoza)