“SP members fixed the problem of the 2025 Annual Budget… narevise thru a special session… we hope nga maipatungpal dagiti nadelay nga plano,” - Vice-Gov. Odiem

Tabuk City, Kalinga - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Kalinga, headed by Vice-Governor Dave Odiem, has enacted a new Appropriation Ordinance after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-Cordillera declared the province’s original 2025 Annual Budget (AB) “inoperative.”

The earlier budget, with a total appropriation of P1,850,627,736.00, was found non-compliant with certain budgetary requirements, prompting immediate action from the legislative body.

“The SP members fixed the problem of the 2025 Annual Budget already; it is one of the immediate things we did. Na-revise through a special session with the board members and other officials last week, ket we hope nga maipatungpal dagiti na-delay nga plano under the said budget,” said Odiem in an interview.

Background of the Annual Budget problem

During the July 2024 special session of the SP in Morong, Bataan, Budget Officer IV Luzviminda Pumos-an said the total appropriations exceeded the estimated income of the province. In particular, the creation of a Provincial Health Officer 1 (with a salary grade of 25), positioned under the Provincial Health Office (PHO) violated classification guidelines.

Pumos-an, based on the minutes of the meeting obtained by the Guru Press Cordillera from a legislative staff, noted that although the health office has a department head, it lacks an assistant department head, a requirement before creating a higher-level position such as SG 25.

As a remedy, the budget officer suggested adjusting the post to Salary Grade 24, in line with existing rules on organizational structure and classification.

The DBM-CAR, upon its review, required that the province enact a new appropriation ordinance correcting the inconsistencies.

Swift legislative action by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Kalinga provincial legislators looked into the suggestion and clarified the issue. With no objection raised after the explanation of Pumos-an, Board Member Chester Alunday moved to approve the enactment of a revised Appropriation Ordinance, now listed as AO No. 2025-011, from the first AO with No. 2025-004.

The motion was duly seconded and approved by the body.

The new AO authorizes the same total amount (P1,850,627,736.00) but is now considered compliant following the revision based on the comment of DBM-CAR. From salary grade 25, the created Provincial Health Officer 1 now has SG 24 from proposed SG 25; hence, the provincial government’s annual budget has been rectified for inconsistency.

The Kalinga SP special session adjourned at exactly 10:00 a.m. on July 24.