Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has assured that he will review the provincial government’s 2014 annual executive budget of almost P2 billion before he will veto some items if necessary.

The Governor was reacting to media queries over unverified reports that some items originally included in the proposed budget, which was forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan earlier, were either allegedly revised, modified, or dropped.

According to Governor Degamo, his office has not yet received a copy of the 2014 budget that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had passed in their last session before they took a break for the holidays.

Degamo disclosed he was informed by sources that some items that were either allegedly altered or removed were in the Peace and Order Council budget, although he said the intelligence fund for the Governor was not changed.

He expressed surprise over this, noting that the Peace and Order Council allocation had gone through a process, with the body identifying its projects for this year, which he endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval.

The Governor said he was expecting that nothing in the POC’s proposal would be changed.

The total budget for the province of Negros Oriental for 2014 stands at P1,911,813.171 billion.

Governor Degamo said he hopes the Provincial Board will forward the budget to his office by next week for review and approval. (PNA)