City approves P22 billion investment plan for 2021

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Development Council (CCDC) approved yesterday a P22-billion Annual Investment Plan (AIP) next year.

A big chunk of the city’s expenditure program next year amounting to P5.5 billion was earmarked for the South Road Properties (SRP) management services. Health services was only allocated P1.4 billion while another P735 million was apportioned to hospital services despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic wherein Cebu City is among the areas affected in the country.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the amount earmarked for SRP will be used to complete the development of Pond A. Garcia said P1.4 billion was also allotted for the environment while P1 billion for the Department of Public Services.

The city’s traffic program will get P1.7 billion while P1.3 billion is budgeted for the senior citizens. The AIP will serve as the city government’s guide in the preparations of the 2021 annual budget.

“Giapproved naman ang AIP. Now, the budget will be based on the AIP. In other words, we cannot budget things or programs outside of the Annual Investment Program that was approved,” said Garcia.

Next year’s AIP is P7 billion more than the P15-billion investment program this year. — FPL (FREEMAN)