The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recently submitted its total proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2017, amounting to Php1.77 billion, 63% higher than the Php1.08 billion budget for 2016.

The increase in budget is necessary to fund projects in line with the government's priority programs, particularly on disaster preparedness and mitigation.

The total proposed amount is broken down in Personnel Services, Php855.21 million; Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, Php715.91 million; and Capital Outlay, Php201.96 million.

Of this, Php1.09 billion, which is within the budget ceiling, will be used for the government's priority programs including: National Geohazard Assessment for Land and Coastal Areas, Geologic Quadrangle Mapping, Mining Industry Development Program, National Mineral Reservation Program, Mineral Investment Promotion Program and Rehabilitation of Abandoned mines.

An additional Php676.47 million was also proposed to finance other activities including establishment of national geoparks, ISO Certification, Information and Communications Technology, upgrading and operationalization of the newly established Negros Island Region (NIR) among others.

The proposal was done thru the Online Submission for Budget Proposal System, as required by the Department of Budget and Management, in time for the scheduled Technical Budget hearings.

By: Financial Management Division