Council set to start scrutiny on P15.7 billion investment plan

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council is set to begin deliberations on Tuesday on the city government’s proposed ?15.736-billion Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2027.

Mayor Nestor Archival, chairman of the Cebu City Development Council (CCDC), has formally endorsed the proposed AIP to the City Council for approval. The plan will serve as the basis for crafting the city’s annual budget for next year.

The AIP was approved and adopted during the CCDC’s fourth full meeting at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last month. It outlines the city’s spending priorities across four major sectors.

The Institutional Development and Management Sector has the largest proposed allocation at ?8.173 billion, covering executive and legislative services, administrative operations, peace and order programs, election reserves, traffic management, and flagship initiatives such as the ?1.51-billion Senior Citizen Program and the ?502.75-million scholarship program.

The Social Development Sector is allocated ?4.905 billion, including ?1.25 billion for hospital services, ?890.97 million for health programs, ?955.93 million for social welfare, and ?750 million for disaster risk reduction.

The Environmental Management Sector has a proposed budget of ?1.499 billion for sanitation, street lighting, parks, and environmental protection.

Meanwhile, the Economic Development Sector is allocated ?1.139 billion to support agriculture, veterinary services, engineering works, tourism, architecture, and city markets.

The plan also incorporates climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, with allocations including more than ?800 million for traffic engineering and management, ?349 million for peace and order, and ?154.61 million for the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The City Council’s deliberations on the 2027 AIP will determine whether the proposed allocations are approved as submitted or amended to reflect changes in spending priorities.

Once approved, the AIP will guide the preparation and enactment of the city’s 2027 budget ordinance, providing the basis for appropriations aligned with Cebu City’s development priorities.(CEBU NEWS)