Labella asked: Bare COVID-19 expenses

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the Office of the Mayor to render a detailed and itemized expenditure breakdown of the P2.9 billion COVID-19 fund meant to contain and address the coronavirus pandemic.

The council also requested Mayor Edgardo Labella to enable the posting of the detailed expenditure report on the city government website, on mayor’s official Facebook page, and in barangay halls, and the publishing of the same in local newspapers for purposes of fiscal transparency and public accountability.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said ensuring fiscal transparency and public accountability “are crucial and should be faithfully observed and upheld especially in emergency situations.”

"Thus, comprehensive and transparent reporting mechanisms have to be put in place so that oversight by civil society organizations and the public at large can be exercised for it is the primordial responsibility of the government to give full accounting of how public funds are being spent in the coronavirus response," he said.

He stressed that the right to information is a constitutionally protected right under Article III, Section 7 of the Constitution, which provides “The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized."

Dizon sponsored the resolution regarding the request which was approved by the City Council during its regular session on August 5, 2020.

Dizon said the extent and magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic called on governments to do what it takes in launching emergency measures to address the adverse impacts of the health and economic crisis on people and businesses.

He added that massive fiscal spending has been undertaken by the city government including purchase of relief goods, personal protective equipment, and COVID-19 testing kits, among others.

The city also provided for the financial assistance to barangays and establishment of isolation facilities.

The City Council has appropriated nearly P3 billion for the city’s COVID-19 response through the implementation of various measures to contain the pandemic and to provide aid to affected sectors. — KQD (FREEMAN)