‘We will slash his budget proposal’

Majority bloc of Talisay’s city council vows to trim JVR’s proposed annual budget

BEFORE the end of the year, Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes formally submitted next year’s annual budget.

But the majority bloc of the Talisay City Council vows to scrutinize the mayor’s proposed annual budget and slash it if necessary.

In a report before the Talisay City Council, de los Reyes formally asked local legislators to approve his proposed 2016 annual budget worth P823 million.

Of the budget submitted, P687 million will go to the general fund, P96.2 million to the 20 percent development fund, P14 million to the Talisay City College (TCC), P717,376 to the city’s waterworks operations, P10 million to market operations and P15 million to the city’s slaughterhouse operations.

In the mayor’s proposed annual budget, priority appropriations stated in the general fund include P80.6 million for salaries and wages of regular employees, P51 million for other maintenance and operating expenses and P46 million for electrical expenses.

Also included in the general fund appropriations is de los Reyes’ P10 million confidential fund.

Slashed

Last year, de los Reyes was not able to get his full confidential fund after the City Council slashed the 2015 annual budget due to allegations that the mayor abused the funds given to him.

Also included in the proposed general fund is a P6-million aid to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the 2016 national and local polls.

In the proposed 20 percent development fund, de los Reyes prioritized the construction and rehabilitation of roads,

Priority appropriations stated in the general fund include P80.6 million for salaries and wages of regular employees, P51 million for other maintenance and operating expenses, and P46 million for electrical expenses Talisay City Councilor Edward Alesna, who chairs the committee on budget and appropriation, said that one appropriation they plan to trim is the P10 million sought by the mayor for intelligence funds

and bridges and the acquisition of heavy equipment appropriated at P16 million.

He also prioritized a P14-million appropriation for the construction of rural health units and the rehabilitation of health centers.

But members of the City Council’s majority bloc said they expect to trim down the mayor’s proposed annual budget.

Talisay City Councilor Edward Alesna, who chairs the committee on budget and appropriation, said that one appropriation they plan to trim down is the P10 million sought by the mayor for intelligence funds.

Just after the approval of the 2015 budget, de los Reyes admitted that he used his P10 million intelligence fund last year as dole-outs for the poor.

The Talisay City Council is given until March of next year to approve the proposed annual budget.