The Antique Provincial Development Council (PDC) approved the province’s PHP1.278-billion Supplemental Annual Investment Program (SAIP) No. 4 on Wednesday.

The SAIP is allocated for three sectors, including PHP963.94 million for social services, PHP12.5 million for general services, and PHP301.84 million for economic services, said PDC Secretary General Bienvinido Nallos Jr.

“The big chunk of the allocation under the social services sector will be the financial assistance for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems for the barangays, municipalities, and schools,” Nallos said in an interview.

Further, the plan allocated PHP3.53 million in financial aid to each of the 17 municipalities and PHP1.04 million each to 572 barangays for the solar photovoltaic systems in their barangay or municipal halls/buildings.

The 18 other barangays and the municipality of Caluya are already receiving a national wealth share from the tax paid for by the Semirara Mine and Power Corporation in Barangay Semirara, Caluya, so they are no longer included in the list of recipients.

Nallos added that the Department of Education Schools Division of Antique recommended solar photovoltaic systems for schools in off-grid areas amounting to PHP150 million.

The construction of the retaining wall and box culvert at the housing project in Laua-an town got a PHP20 million allocation under the social services sector.

“It could be remembered that the National Housing Authority’s Lugta Housing Project in Barangay Lugta, Laua-an, experienced a flashflood that it needs to have a retaining wall and box culvert,” Nallos said.

The general services sector prioritizes the provision of PHP12.5 million in educational assistance for poor students in Antique. The economic services sector will use PHP150 million to build mini-hydropower plants in San Remigio, Sibalom, and Sebaste towns.

Nallos said they intend to submit the SAIP No. 4 for approval by the provincial board this August. (PNA)