City Council okays P8.1 billion 2019 budget

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council approved yesterday the proposed P8.1 billion annual budget next year.

The committee on budget and finance chaired by Councilor Margarita Osmeña recommended the approval of the annual budget after the various offices under the executive department were able to justify the amount allocated to them.

“This Committee after evaluating and deliberating the executive’s proposed budget and ensuring that all budgetary requirements under the LGC (Local Government Code) and other laws are strictly followed, respectfully submits this report to this August Body for approval,” read a portion of the committee report.

Bulk of the budget was earmarked for social services of the city government.  A total of P455 million was allocated for financial assistance to senior citizens; P400 million for barangay projects; P158 million for scholarship program; P81.6 million for persons with disability; P80 million for Sangguniang Kabataan Federation; P76. 8 million for barangay tanods; P65 million for peace and order personnel; and P65 million for teachers assistance program.

A total of P232 million was also allocated for the procurement of 40 buses to ferry college students from the mountain barangays; P6.6 million for the salary of the bus drivers; P26.4 million for fuel and oil; P20 million for renovation of Cebu City condominium; P10 million for the operation of the condominium, and P11.2 million for meal allowance of mountain barangay students.

The executive department also appropriated P213.8 million for Long Life Medical Assistance Program (LLMAP); P166 million for City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicine Program (CHAMP); P265.86 million for garbage collection and disposal; and P232.5 million for heavy equipment.

For mandatory expenditures, the city has allocated P2.1 billion for personal services; P346 million for the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund; P448.9 million for debt servicing, among others.

The discretionary fund of the mayor was also increased from P7.8 million this year to P8.5 million for next year with P10 million allocated for confidential expenses.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera expressed her appreciation for the procurement of buses that would transport students from the mountain barangays. But, opposition Councilor Joel Garganera said the city government still fails to address several problems like traffic, garbage, and flooding. —  FPL (FREEMAN)