Osmeña seeks council nod on P463.7M supplement budget

To cover Cebu City government’s additional operating expenses, Mayor Tomas Osmeña is asking the City Council to approve his proposed first supplemental budget for the year amounting to P463.7 million.

Bulk of the proposed budget or P208.5 million will be used for special projects and programs intended for senior citizens and aid to some barangays, including Capitol Site, Pahina Central, Talamban and Tejero, Kinasangan, Buhisan, and Cogon-Ramos.

Another P58.6 million will be also set aside to cover aid to city barangays; P20.5 million for offices under the city administrator; P33.4 million for the Department for Social Welfare and Services; P15 million for Department of General Services; and P12 million for City Transportation Office.

Of the P33.4 million proposed budget for DSWS, P27.7 million will be allocated for the Long Life Medical Assistance Program of the city government.

The executive department is also pushing for an additional P10million budget for the City Health Department (field program); P3.2 million for garbage disposal and collection services; P1.8 million for Department of Public Services street cleaning; and P1 million for Department of Manpower Development and Placement.

Under the proposed supplemental budget, the amount earmarked for garbage disposal and collection services is only intended for the salaries of the workers under the DPS. No extra fund is being lobbied for expenses in hauling operation.

An additional P6.8 million is allocated for the Office of the Mayor; P912,096 for the Office of the Vice Mayor; and P6.9 million for the City Council.

Further, P2.5 million is allotted for City Legal Office; P1.3 million for City Health Department, General Admin; P1.4 million for Department of Engineering and Public Works; and P1.1 million for Department for Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, among others.

During the regular session yesterday, the council referred the request for supplemental budget to the Committee on Budget and Finance for review.

Osmeña submitted his proposed supplemental budget on May 2.