Mandaue’s budget lower by P300M

No to spending more, Quisumbing says

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City's annual budget for 2017 is lower by P300 million.

This was revealed by Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing as he said that the proposed budget decreased from P2.669 billion for 2016 to P2.395 billion next year.

"We just retool a little bit the budget. We move the few things around," he said.

Earlier, in a letter dated October 14, Quisumbing submitted to the council for approval the proposed 2017 executive budget, as well as the proposed Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the city, in the same amount, for review and appropriate action.

In yesterday's session, the council referred the budget to the committee on appropriation, budget and finance chaired by Councilor Nenita Layese for review and report.

Quisumbing said the city government will be dealing with public-private partnership in terms of infrastructure projects for next year.

"I don't want to spend any more money until we have a plan for its utilization. We keep on spending for drainage, traffic and road widening and concreting but as you know, traffic is still exists, baha (flood) still exists," he said.

The mayor already asked the City Council to draft a legislative measure on traffic and drainage master plan before the yearend. He said he wants to complete the plan before embarking on massive infrastructure projects.

"We intend to pass an ordinance that all infrastructure spending, ilabi na ang drainage, will have to conform to the plan including the barangay expenditures for drainage," he said.

According to Quisumbing, the city government will be cleaning out the existing drainage system in the first quarter of 2017, wherein they will be purchasing an amphibious dredger and a vacuum pump that will flush drainage canals.

"Next year, when we know the specific projects and solutions identified by the study, that's the time we will do a supplemental budget for infrastructure spending in accordance with a master plan," the mayor added. (FREEMAN)