Many of the projects that the government wants to implement are usually bogged down by inadequacy or lack of funds. With problems confronting government left and right, getting those funds at the time these are needed and at the proper amount can spell the difference in the success or failure of projects.

The on-going national government budget process takes on a very real significance in the light of the scarcity of funds. What is encouraging is the inclusion of budget consultations between the Agency Central Offices and the Regional Development Councils (RDC). These meetings scheduled next week, are intended to give each region a fair share of the budgets of national line departments such as DepEd, DOH, DA, DTI and DPWH.

It has never been done before. The prospects of these sessions resulting in a more equitable distribution of national funds are very encouraging.

For the first time, our RDC officials will have a glimpse of how “lump-sum appropriations” are divided at the central offices. This will reduce arbitrariness and promote the need to address specific regional problems.

But more than just being told about how these funds are divided among the regions, the RDCs are in a position to influence changes in this distribution.

Our RDC was just through evaluating and endorsing the proposals of regional offices that do not seem to know how “lump-sum” funds are allocated. It looks like central office people have wide latitude of discretion.

The on-going budget consultations are expected to change such authority and give more teeth to decentralization – the empowerment of the regions.

We will get our fair share this time.