ON ANNUAL BUDGET DOCUMENTS Durano: PB's request came in late

The Capitol’s executive department clarified that it received the committee on appropriations’ request for supporting documents only late Monday afternoon, after committee chair Board Member Celestino Martinez III presented his committee report on the proposed 2026 annual budget during the regular session earlier that day.

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The clarification came amid discussions on the committee’s recommendation to slash the proposed P11.9-billion provincial budget by P178 million—a proposal provincial officials stressed is not yet final.

Provincial Administrator Ace Durano acknowledged the committee’s recommendations but emphasized that the budget process remains ongoing, noting that the proposed reductions are still subject to second reading and further deliberations.

“It’s always part of the process,” Durano said.

He added that the current proceedings reflect a more transparent and deliberate review of the provincial budget, aimed at ensuring an “honest-to-goodness deliberation” between the legislative and executive branches.