P4.2 billion budget for Mandaue City

CEBU, Philippines — For its 2018 budget, the Mandaue City government is proposing an Annual Investment Program worth P4.2 billion, almost P2 billion higher than this year's P2.4-billion budget.

Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing said in a press conference yesterday that they are focusing more on the infrastructure, a new drainage master plan, as well as the construction of an environment-friendly government center.

Quisumbing said what made the 2018 budget big is the infusion of the loan for the construction of the new government center in the city which costs P1.5 billion.

"For one, (there will be) installation sa windows, the way (of) the construction that will allow natural light rather than artificial lighting, there is provision for solar paneling, the way we treat the electrical wiring and set-up," Quisumbing said.

The new government center will replace the old public market behind the Mandaue City Sports Complex. Construction will start in the second quarter of 2018, said Quisumbing.

The old public market was badly damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in October 2013.

Aside from the P1.5-billion new government building, the city government allocated a budget for the non-office expenditures worth P957 million, office expenses worth P926 million, the city's Material Recovery Facility worth P170 million, and developmental funds worth P150 million.

Under the budget, the city also allocated P121 million for local economic enterprises, flood control projects worth P105 million, the second tranche for the P100-million payment for the Cebu International Convention Center to Cebu Province, and P67 million for infrastructure projects of the barangays.

Since the target budget is more on infrastructure, Quisumbing said he needs the cooperation of the public to address the concerns on traffic and flooding.

"Pero di puro infrastructures ang tubag sa problema. Kinahanglan sab nato ang cooperation sa katawhan," Quisumbing said. (FREEMAN)