NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has urged the Sangguniang Bayan of Isabela lead by Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr. to act on the town’s 2022 budget.Lacson said Malabor should follow the example of Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer who has been cooperative with the Executive Office that he heads.“It is not correct for Vice Mayor Malabor to say that he is just the presiding officer (and) you know the rule because you were once a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” Lacson said.Lacson told Malabor to do what is right.The town is currently operating on a reenacted budget of 2021 in the amount of P197 million due to the failure of the Sangguniang Bayan to pass its 2022 budget amounting to P271 million.Lacson was in Isabela Thursday, March 10, for the distribution of relief assistance to the victims of Typhoon Odette in the town.Meanwhile, Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla said several services of the town have been affected by the failure of the municipal council to pass the budget.She made efforts to have a dialogue with the SB, but they refused while Malabor told her that he is only acting as the presiding officer.The non-passage of Isabela town’s 2022 budget had greatly affected the job order employees, whose salaries were delayed since January 16 but continue to work.Montilla said the services of these employees are needed by the town.She said the SB is asking to revise the budget and include their request for the inclusion of P2 million for their respective JOs and other programs.”It could have been possible if they attended the four budget hearings,” Montilla added.Malabor is now challenging Montilla for Mayor in the coming May 9 elections.