By Shiela Mae Butlig
Correspondent
MISAMIS Oriental’s P3.6-million budget for this year has yet to be submitted to the Department of Budget, and Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano and Vice Gov. Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez are blaming each other.
Emano, through the Provincial Information Office, said Pelaez has yet to sign the documents needed for the capitol’s 2020 budget. The documents are composed of the Annual Investment Plan, Gender and Development Plan, the budget for nutrition program, and the peace and order plan, among others.
As a resault, the PIO said, the delivery of basic services would be delayed because Pelaez has not signed yet the documents.
Pelaez, however, said he has already forwarded the documents to the provincial board’s secretary.
“Ang atong supporting attachments for our budget ordinance was forwarded to the Office of the Secretary. We are just waiting for the budget ordinance which the governor has not signed yet. It was not brought back to my office after approval. I (have) not seen the budget ordinance. So, how can I sign it?” Pelaez asked.
Pelaez said the governor should sign the budget ordinance after its approval and then forward it to the liaison of the provincial board.
He said the 2020 budget ordinance is still with Emano and that he is just waiting for the governor to return the signed ordinance to his office.
“This is all politics. Daghan kaayo mga storya nga ingon ana. Ang tinuod, we abide (by) the process. Maybe, siguro, ang atong Gobernador Bambi Emano wala lang pud siya na storyahan nga in-ana ang pamaagi,” quipped Pelaez.
