NVizcaya's proposed 2026 budget is P3.09B

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Gov. Jose “Jing” Gambito said the proposed executive budget of more than P3 billion for 2026 is an “inclusive and definitive” spending plan that institutes transparency and accountability.

Gambito has submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) the proposed more than P3.09 billion Local Expenditure Program (LEP) for 2026, which is 19.21 percent higher or P498.43 million more compared to this year’s more than P2.59 billion.

He said the proposed budget complies with the Local Government Code as well as existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

“With firm conviction, I trust that the priority plans and programs we have jointly strategized will bring actual and sustainable progress to the communities we serve, and I firmly hope that the results of these planned endeavors will help us overcome the challenges,” Gambito said.

According to the governor, the 2026 LEP is anchored on the values of unity and continuity inspired by his “Gayyem ti Umili” (people’s friend) cornerstones and by out-of-the-box thinking, which he credited for recent gains of the province.

The province has earned recognition as the fastest-growing economy in the Philippines with a 4.4 percent increase in gross domestic product.

The province also earned many awards, including the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance, the 2024 ARTA Silver Award, the 2024 Gawad Kalasag Excellence Award, a top-10 national finalist citation in the Subaybayani Award, and an unemployment rate of 1.7 percent in 2024, the lowest in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).

Gambito added that the proposed budget prioritizes stronger social and economic services; infrastructure support such as the Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan (Roads in the Mountains) Project and Dalan ti Umili (People’s Road) Program.

It also included increased agricultural production through organic farming; support for micro, small and medium enterprises; job generation and facilitation; environmental improvement; enhanced social and family welfare protection and development; support for education; and improved health services through vigorous implementation of Universal Health Care, among others.

“It is aimed to provide our constituents the best value for every peso that we collect and spend,” Gambito said.

Provincial Budget Officer Virginia Iglesias said Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses or MOOE, make up the largest share of the proposed budget at more than P1.25 billion (40.72 percent), followed by Personnel Services at more than P947.96 million (30.64 percent).

The Special Purpose Appropriations is P526.17 million and the development projects are funded in accordance with the mandated 20 percent allocation. The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund is set at P155.57 million (5 percent), while Capital Outlay is P128.92 million (4.17 percent).

Assuring that the proposal contains no unprogrammed funds or insertions, Iglesias said the 2026 LEP comprises targeted programs, projects and activities designed to deliver high-impact benefits to families and individuals.