Council OKs P463M supplemental budget
The Cebu City Council approved in a regular session yesterday the executive department's first supplemental budget this year amounting to P463.7 million.
But the council noted the reservation expressed by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera that a realigned budget that will be used as fund source is supposedly intended to acquire a lot for a public school in Barangay Calamba.
About P33.2 million of the budget will come from realignment from current appropriations for personal services; P305.9 million from realignment from continuing appropriations; P58 million from prior years' adjustments; and P67 million from reversion of accounts payable.
Reacting to Pesquera's remarks, Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Finance, said they have already checked why the property has not yet been acquired by the city even if the budget has been there since 2009.
“There are so many owners to that property. It has not been worked on, obviously for nine years. Property rate has gone up. There are many owners and it has not come at a conclusion to sell,” said Osmeña.
“There is also a guide from DBM (Department of Budget and Management) that anything (allocation not used for) over two years may be considered… It can always come back in the future budget,” she added.
Councilor Joy Augustus Young, deputy mayor for education, said the city government can propose another budget for the Calamba school lot once the matter will be settled.
“I think we have to rebudget that one because I also talked to the owners few years ago. Daghan tag-iya ana. Nisaka ang presyo, dili maka-apas atong assessed value. There is a problem in negotiation. I think there is no problem to re-budget that anyway,” he said.
Bulk of the approved supplemental budget – about P208.5 million – will be used for special projects and programs intended for senior citizens.
Another P58.6 million is set aside to cover aid to city barangays such as Capitol Site, Pahina Central, Talamban, Tejero, Kinasang-an, Buhisan, and Cogon-Ramos; 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 is allocated for the Long Life Medical Assistance Program of the city government.
Other items include an additional P10-million 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.
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.