CEBU, Philippines — The executive department of Cebu City government now has the green light to use an additional P84.1 million in funds to cover the city’s “urgent and necessary” expenses for the remainder of the year.
This after the Cebu City Council approved the fourth supplemental budget in a regular session yesterday.
Before the legislators decided to approve SB-4, the committee on budget and finance took the time to present a favorable report after scrutinizing the proposal.
“Considering the urgency and necessity to approve the budgetary items under the proposed SB4 CY 2018, the Committee, therefore, recommends for its approval,” read portion of the report signed and approved by Councilor Margarita Osmeña, committee chairman, and Councilor Sisinio Andales, vice chairman.
Members of the committee – Councilors Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Jerry Guardo, and Alvin Arcilla -- also affixed their signatures on the report.
All members of the City Council who were present during the session expressed no objection to the approval of the fourth supplemental budget, explaining that the executive department was able to justify it.
Bulk of the proposed budget or P38.8 million will be used to acquire a lot in Barangay Quiot-Pardo; P13 million for teacher’s rice support and other activities under City Sponsored Activities; P8 million for the procurement of at least one bus; and P5.5 million for the construction of drainage system from M.J. Cuenco Avenue to Maxilom Avenue.
Others items are P5 million for the procurement of dashboard cameras; P5 million to buy one unit of transit mixer; P4 million to pay for the terminal leave benefits of City Hall retirees; P2.7 million for the Long Life Medical Assistance Program (LLMAP); and P1.7 million for the furniture/fixtures of City Fiscal’s Office.
Some P332,000 will be also set aside as aid to barangays and P100,000 for the procurement of at least three units of bagger mixer.
Among the sources of funds for SB-4 are the unutilized funds under infrastructure assets of Cebu City Transportation Office impounding area at the South Road Properties (SRP) amounting to P5 million and P30 million that was supposedly intended for the land purchase for Mahiga Creek improvement.
The other sources are P44.4 million that was supposedly intended for site development, P1.1 million under Cebu City Medical Center, P3.3 million under City Health Development field office, and P432,000 under CHD’s field services. — JMD (FREEMAN)