SAN JOSE, Antique, May 27 (PNA) — The province of Antique received its biggest share so far of the proceeds in the utilization and development of natural wealth in the amount of P128,371,467.
Governor Rhodora Cadiao said that Victor Consunji, president and chief executive of DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI) that operates the Semirara Coal Mine in Semirara Island, Caluya town, told her two weeks ago that the share of the provincial government will soon be released by the Department of Energy (DOE).
Cadiao announced during Monday’s Tatusan Festival in Caluya that she was informed that the amount has already been deposited in the current account of the provincial government at the Development Bank of the Philippines-Antique.
“That is our province’s share in the utilization of natural wealth and that is the biggest share we have received so far in the last 30 years,” Gov. Cadiao said.
Provincial Accountant Esther Minnie Julian said that province’s share in 2014 amounted to P116,172,698 and a little over P100 million in 2012.
“We actually have an excess of about P50 million because our estimate as stated in the 2015 Annual Executive Budget is only P80 million. So we now have available funds for other projects that will help the Antiqueños,” Cadiao said.
Cadiao said that she will soon arrange for another meeting with Consunji and other DMCI officials for possible collaboration, partnership or assistance for projects that will be of great help to the Antiqueños.
“I am actually thinking of tapping DMCI to help us in our programs in fighting malnutrition, livelihood, skills training for our out of school youth and the like. I know they have funds for the company’s social projects that I look forward to my next meeting with the DMCI officials,” Cadiao said. (PNA)