Proposed budgets for 2019 questioned

Some councilors have questioned the increase in the city’s budget for city-sponsored activities under the proposed P8.1 billion Annual Budget for 2019.

During the budget hearing at the Council yesterday, Councilor Margarita Osmeña asked the representatives of the Office of the Mayor to explain the P15 million increase.

Last year’s budget for citysponsored activities was P65 million but this increased to P80 million in the proposed 2019 budget. Next year is an election year and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is seeking reelection.

“Why P80 million? For 2017, you had P47 million. For this year, you have P65 million, including the Supplemental Budget. Why?” Margarita asked.

Under the city sponsored activities, the executive department proposed P35 million for the Sinulog, P5 million for Charter Day activities, P10 million for Christmas Day activities, and P30 million for other activities.

The Office of the Mayor was represented by the mayor’s secretary, Catherine Yso.

For Sinulog, the money will cover the subsidy and prizes for contingents from the city, province, and participating local government units outside of Cebu.

Councilor David Tumulak, over-all chairman for Sinulog 2019, said the city government will have its own contingent for next year for which it will allocate P5 million.

Yso said they raised the budget for the Charter Day to P5 million because there will be additional programs and activities next year.

The city also increased its Christmas budget to P10 million next year from the P6 million this year so that job order employees can join the celebration.

Yso said the P30 million proposed budget for other activities will be used only with the Council’s approval.

Meanwhile, Margarita also questioned the proposed budget for the Office of the Mayor.

She asked the executive department headed by her husband to break down the proposed P17 million for awards and incentives, P3 million gratuity pay for job orders and contract of service workers, P65 million for teacher’s assistance program, P30.8 million for teacher’s upgrading program, P4.5 million updating of voter’s registration, and P25 million garnishment for Roque Ting’s property, among others.

It was noted that the Office of the Mayor has unspent funds amounting to P8.8 million for consultancy for the mayor and for city councilors.

According to the City Accounting Office, the mayor has seven consultants from July to December 2018.

The councilor said there is a stalemate in the City Council as far as consultants are concerned because opposition members also want to have consultants.