Council asked to approve P66 million supplemental budget

CEBU, Philippines — In order to cover Cebu City government’s additional operating expenses, the executive department is asking the City Council to approve the proposed second supplemental budget (SB) amounting to P66.5 million.

Bulk of the proposed budget or P47 million will be used for the rental of heavy equipment, P10 million for the additional funding under the City Sponsored Activities account, P8.6 million for the monthly honoraria of elected Sangguniang Kabataan councilors, SK secretaries and SK treasurers.

While P832,458.32 is set for the prior year’s payables such as procurement of rice goods, among others.

Among the sources of funds for the SB-2 are the unutilized funds under Cebu City Sports Center amounting to P4.2 million, P4.5 million under the construction and heavy equipment, P57.7 million under South Road Properties (SRP) management.

During the budget hearing yesterday, the committee on budget and finance made a favorable decision on the proposed supplemental budget.

Committee chairperson Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmena expressed that they see no problem with the proposed additional budget of the executive department.

“Yes, I think so because you know it was very simple, there was only three items and it was explained naman,” she said.

Before Osmeña made the conclusion, the committee spent an hour and 12 minutes to discuss.

Majority of the discussions spent on the proposed supplemental budget of the Department of Public Services (DPS) for the rental of heavy equipment which is P47 million.

The proposed P47 million is intended for the month of September until December this year.

The DPS came up with such amount based on the previous rental transaction with a private service provider before.

The city government will be paying the service provider around P800 service fee per hour of every truck.

In October 2017, the city government decided to rent trucks in order to improve the garbage collection. There are 11 dump trucks and 10 compactor trucks.

Osmeña raised a concern whether or not DPS conducted a study on what are the disadvantages of renting trucks which will gather all trash from the barangays to the private transfer station.

DPS Head Roberto Cabarrubias said since the city government started renting in October 2017, he said the city saves money for the maintenance of trucks.

Under the terms of reference, the service provider is obliged to repair or replace the dilapidated trucks.

Aside from that, the 21 trucks are also running 24 hours collecting the trash in the barangays.

Councilor Jerry Guardo suggested that DPS should purchase brand new trucks, instead of the renting scheme.

Cabarrubias admitted they have been thinking about that, but they don’t have enough budget to procure new equipment for garbage collection, adding the maintenance of the trucks is quite expensive.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. earlier asked DPS if the garbage collection schedule was effective considering that there are still tons of garbage in the streets.

Cabarrubias said there are still individuals who will dispose their trash in the streets.

With this, Councilor Sisinio Andales suggested to let the Barangay Environmental Officers to issue citation tickets to anti-littering violators.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla said the cleanliness of the city is not just an obligation of the government, but of all residents.

He said the public should be disciplined how to dispose their trash properly.

For the proposed P8.6 million for the honoraria of SK elected officials will cover the months of July to December 2018.

These elected officials will receive P2,000 cash aid from the city government every month.

After a thorough discussion, the budget hearing ended without any objections.

Because of that, the committee on budget and finance is expected to make a report to be presented in the council for approval. – GAN (FREEMAN)