The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recently submitted its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016 amounting to PhP1.88 billion, 136% higher than the PhP795.37 million budget for 2015.

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 into Personnel Services, PhP879.78 million; Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, PhP 783.02 million; and Capital Outlay, PhP 219.03 million.

Of this, PhP725.02 million, which is within the budget ceiling, will be used for the government’s Priority Programs, including: 1) National Geohazard Assessment; 2) Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment; 3) Coastal Hazards Assessment; and 4) Increasing Government Share from Mining.

An additional PhP1,156.81 million was also proposed to finance other activities including offshore mineral exploration under the geologic quadrangle mapping program, establishment of national geoparks; and programs on anti-illegal mining, small-scale mining, and mineral reservation.

The proposal was done through 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: Finance Division