Number of CH workers needed for rice incentive

After Mayor Michael Rama announced the other night the granting of rice incentives to hardworking Cebu City Hall employees during the recently-concluded Sinulog, the City Government needs to determine how many would be given so the amount to allocate could be determined and the fund source is identified.

So said City Councilor Noel Wenceslao, City Council committee on budget and finance chairman, as he offered to be the one to sponsor the appropriation resolution for the rice incentive.

He said he was aware that even before the Sinulog activities began, members of the working committee, particularly the Cebu City Hall employees, have already worked hard for the success of the celebration.

But first, he said, the executive department needs to determine how many would receive the rice incentive.

During the awarding of winners of the Sinulog Grand Parade last Monday, Rama announced that the City would give a sack of rice as incentive for those who have worked hard during the Sinulog preparations.

He then called upon the cooperation of the Cebu City Council for its approval.

Wenceslao said he would need to check where to source the funds for the rice incentive.

"I know nga naa pay sobra ang atoang budget for the Sinulog, but wala pa man ta kabalo pila ka buok volunteers atong hatagan, ug wala pa ta kabalo pila ang exact amount nga atong kinahanglanon," he said.

The councilor, however, said that the City has several budgetary appropriations where rice incentive budget can be charged from. He identified the Sinulog 2024 appropriation under the annual budget’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses.

Asked how much is left of the Sinulog 2024 budget, he said the City still has to consolidate the papers to determine the exact amount.

He said that to start the process, the executive department has to write a letter addressed to the City Council for the sponsorship of the appropriation resolution.

This, Wenceslao said, needs to have the amount already indicated.

"Ato man ng tan-awon, for example, pila kabuok atong angay tagaan and kung tagpila ang one sack of rice," he said.

Secondly, the City Budget Office needs to issue a certification on the appropriation and for the City Treasurer to certify the availability of funds.

"Then once ma-approved na ang resolution then processing na ta sa (rice) procurement," he said.