P230 million supplemental budget for city OK'd

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council yesterday approved the P230-million Supplemental Budget 6 (SB6) that includes the foiled P87.2 million appropriation of the city government for Roque Ting’s lot property at the South Road Properties (SRP).

In his resolution which provides for the amendment to the proposed supplemental budget for the General Fund, Councilor Jose Daluz III, chairman of the council committee on budget and finance, said all items under the Capital Outlay for the “Purchase of Lots” will be cancelled but the P45.4-million appropriation should be retained.

The term “Purchase of Lots” will be changed to “Acquisition of Lots.”

Originally, the P87.2 million covers the item for compensation of a 2,000 square meter property of Roque Ting at the SRP.

Another item is added under the General Fund, which will include Community Micro Assistance Program, P15 million; Sports Development Project, P5 million; and Burial Assistance Program, P5 million.

Around P21 million of the SB6 is from the tax collection of the City Treasurers Office (CTO).

In his message, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said SB6 will cover urgent and necessary expenses, particularly for the barangays.

“In the nitty-gritty of public service, undeniably there are small but very disturbing problems in the barangays, the little eyesores which if lumped together would be burdensome for the city officials to deal with effectively,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña said the barangay officials, being the front liners, should be equipped and supported to address immediate concerns of the barangays.

The City Health Department stands to get P6 million from SB6 for the purchase of five pickup trucks and medicine.

The Department of Public Services will get P8 million for purchase of multi-lift garbage trucks, and P2.6 million for the purchase of equipment for the Department of Manpower Placement and Development. — Ferliza C. Contratista/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)