BACOLOD CITY - Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the provincial government will prioritize health, agriculture, infrastructure, digitalization, and disaster response aligned with the province’s flagship platform “Abanse Negrense" following the approval of the Provincial Council of the P7.6-billion annual budget for 2026.

“I’m very happy that they have approved it before the year ends,” Lacson said.

The budget for next year reflected an increase driven by a higher National Tax Allotment (NTA) which went up to P6.65 billion, significantly boosting fiscal capacity, alongside P668.5 million in projected local income.

The 2026 budget is P1.16 billion higher—a 17.98 percent increase—than the current year’s P6.457-billion budget.

Of the total, P7.32 billion was allocated to the General Fund, while P294.6 million was set aside for the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD).

With this development, Lacson encouraged various local government units (LGUs) to approve their budgets before the end of the year to enable them to start fresh with the new budget.

Since recent typhoons have struck the province, particularly the southern part, Lacson said that they will also allocate o money for the rehabilitation of bridges with whatever they can afford depending on the budget.

“We will do our best to rehabilitate the damage brought about by typhoon 'Tino,'” the governor said.

He encouraged the LGUs to invest on heavy equipment as part of disaster response.

“Everytime we have a calamity, we’re always learning from it. Through the equipment, we can prepare ourselves,” he said, adding that an amphibious dredger is being eyed.

He said LGUs that can afford may invest in one major equipment essential every after calamity every year.