CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan (PIA) — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allocated P17.1 billion in National Tax Allocation (NTA) for the Provincial Government of Bulacan, including its 20 municipalities and four cities under the proposed 2024 national budget.
Based on the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2024, the amount is 2.2 percent higher than the P16.1 billion provided by the agency under the 2023 General Appropriations Act.
NTA is the share of the local government units (LGUs) from all kinds of taxes collected by the national government.
As mandated by the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling, it emphasized that the share of local governments shall not be limited to the taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran said it also includes collections from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), excise taxes, income from government-owned and controlled corporations, and other sources of funds collected by the national government.
For 2024, the provincial government will receive P5.4 billion, slightly higher than the P5 billion allotted for this year.
Meanwhile, the cities of Malolos, San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan and Baliwag are set to receive a combined P4.6 billion NTA, which is greater than the current P4.3 billion.
The City of San Jose Del Monte has the highest NTA allocation among the cities in the province at P1.9 billion; Malolos at P1 billion, while Meycauayan and Baliwag has P835 million and P887 million, respectively.
NTA in the 20 municipalities totaled to P7.1 billion, higher than the current P6.7 billion.
Santa Maria is the biggest receiver of NTA among all municipalities at P739 million. Marilao will get P643.8 million, and P503 million for San Miguel.
Increases in NTA will also be given to Norzagaray at P434 million; P414 million for Pandi; P383 million for Bocaue; P382 million for Hagonoy; P347.9 million for San Ildefonso; P346.3 million for Doña Remedios Trinidad; P336.3 million for Calumpit; P324.7 million for San Rafael; P321 million for Plaridel; P317.5 for Guiguinto; and P310 million for Pulilan.
Further, the municipality of Bulakan will receive P254 million; P244.7 million for Bustos; P234 million for Balagtas; P219 million for Angat; P200.6 million for Obando; and P189.3 million for Paombong.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando said that an increase in NTA is essential to spur economic recovery amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also shared that he is eyeing a higher provincial budget for 2024 through effective collection of taxes from quarrying, and enhanced management of space rentals owned by the provincial government.
Bulacan is operating under the P6.8 billion 2023 provincial budget, which is slightly less than the P7.4 billion in 2022.
Meanwhile, Libiran reminded LGUs to observe Local Budget Memorandum No. 87 in the preparation of their annual budget for 2024 as NTA indicative shares will reach P871.3 billion. (MJSC/SFV-PIA 3)
