The budget hearing of the 24 barangays which started October 15 was concluded on October 29, barely a month’s time of presentation and deliberation during the weekly municipal sessions of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).

The presence of all barangay and SK officials was generated in the presentation of the barangay budget in the SB which was effectively reviewed and scrutinized by the members of the SB composed of municipal councillors, Liga president and SK president, presided by the SB chairman, Vice Mayor Melicio F. Patague II.

It was a great accomplishment on the part of all the barangays, SK officials and the SB officials for a speedy review and approval ahead of the targeted schedule of passage and discussion.

The SB thoroughly reviewed the provisions of the presented barangay budget to ensure that: 1) Budgetary requirements and limitations provided in the Local Government Code are complied with; 2) The budget does not exceed the estimated receipts and/or income of the barangay; and, 3) The items of appropriations are not more than those provided by existing laws.

Furthermore, the barangay budget serves as the basis for: planning and policy adoption, program and project implementation, financial control and management information.

The components of the barangay budget as presented during the municipal sessions consisted of the following: 1) Estimates of income; and 2) Total appropriations covering current operating expenditures and capital outlays.

The barangay and SK officials of Binalonan included in their budget presentation the following parts:

1) Appropriations for development project;

2) Appropriations for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) programs, projects and activities equivalent to 10% of the general fund of the barangay for the budget year (SK Fund);

3) Appropriations for unforeseen expenditures arising from the occurrence of calamities at 5% of regular income for the budget year (Calamity Fund); and

4) Provision for the delivery of basic services pursuant to Section 17 of RA No. 7160, and effective local governance.

Aside from being a financial plan, the barangay budget serves as an instrument for barangay officials to effectively manage the development of the barangay with the legal basis from Sections 329-334 (Barangay Budget) of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA No. 7160). This provides the basis for the collection, safekeeping and use of barangay funds.

The budget process is a cycle that consists of the following phases: 1) budget preparation 2) budget legislation or authorization 3) budget review 4) budget execution and 5) budget accountability.