CH fails to use P72M budget for projects

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Budget Office reported at least P72 million of unutilized budget for development projects this year.

Budget Officer Marietta Gumia said the amount is part of the P375-million allocation under the Local Development Fund. Although unutilized, Gumia said the funds will still be used for projects next year since it is a continuing appropriation.

“The Commission on Audit will call the attention of the city government because of the unutilized funds. Other than that, wala ra’y negative impact,” she told The FREEMAN.

For this year, the city government has appropriated P375.6 million for developmental projects in different barangays in the city. Of the P375.6 million, at least P72- million worth of projects were not yet implemented as of November this year.

In the Status of Appropriations, Allotments, Obligations, and Balances (SAOB), the unused budget includes the P1.1 million road network construction of footbridge in Barangay Babag, P10 million alternative road for Barangay Buhisan, P8.4 million concrete pavement with drainage system in Barangay Duljo Fatima, P8.8 million concrete pavement in Barangay Ermita, P6.8 million concrete pavement in Barangay Tejero, P8.1 million concrete pavement in Barangay Zapatera, and P1.2 million flood control systems in Barangay Punta Princesa.

Other unimplemented projects this year also include P4.66 million construction of concrete pavement in Barangay Lorega San Miguel, P7.2-million concrete pavement in Barangay Mabolo, P3 million construction of concrete pavement in Barangay Sto. Niño, P1.9 million road rehabilitation in Barangay Talamban, P2 million market renovation in Barangay Labangon, and P1.5 million construction of PDEA-7 multi-purpose building in Barangay Lahug, among others.

Gumia said the implementation of these projects depend on the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

She admitted that there are several processes that need to be completed before the projects are implemented. Among them is the program of works and estimates and the project procurement plan that will be posted online.

As of November 2018, at least P281 million worth of projects are ongoing and some have been completed already. Another P60-million worth of infrastructure projects in Cebu City are soon to be implemented. (FREEMAN)