Talisay City’s AIP still not finalized

Projects and programs in the 2013 Annual Investment Plan will have to undergo a budget hearing to determine which one will be prioritized in the annual budget next year These will also depend on the availability of funds City Council is scheduled to tackle the AIP’s approval on Tuesday

THE Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of Talisay City is still in the proposal stage and not all projects included in it can be fully implemented in next year’s budget.

Talisay City Administrator Richel Bacaltos said that while the AIP is pegged at around P960 million, the projects listed in the AIP still have to undergo a budget hearing to determine which one will be prioritized in the annual budget next year.

Bacaltos heads the local finance committee and is one of those who will oversee the approval of the AIP.

He said the projects and programs in the 2013 AIP will depend on the availability of funds.

Funding

Sources of funds include the City’s Internal Revenue Allotment, the local tax collections for the year and also the commitment of some government agencies and politicians to assist in implementing the City’s projects.

Based on the summary of the 2013 AIP, the biggest chunk goes to the social services component, with P372.6 million of the total investment.

The AIP also allocated P226.8 million for general services and P362.6 million for economic services.

The City’s drainage master plan was also allocated P50 million. The master plan will focus on improving drainage in flood-prone areas like Barangays Cansojong, Bulacao and Tanke.

More allocations

Some P45 million was allocated to the local shelter program, which includes the development and rehabilitation of resettlement sites.

The City also plans to allocate P50 million for the acquisition of roads right-of-way and the construction of a circumferential road from Barangay Lagtang to Tabunok.

The City Council is scheduled to tackle the approval of the 2013 AIP in its next session on Tuesday.

City Councilor Rodi Cabigas had earlier presented the AIP to the council, but its approval was deferred when Romeo Villarante, a member of the opposition, asked for a further study on the matter.