CEBU, Philippines — A coalition of civil society groups is demanding a “full accounting of 2020 budget prior to the enactment of 2021 annual budget.”
The Freedom from Debt Coalition Cebu said this is the essence of promoting good governance where fiscal management, accountability, and transparency are being pursued and practiced.
The coalition is composed of Sanlakas- Cebu, Oryang- Cebu, KPML- Cebu, and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino. The city is operating this year based on the P10.4 billion annual budget approved by the City Council last year. The council is currently deliberating the proposed P10.8 billion annual budget for next year.
“The city is in the state of public health emergency and therefore would require appropriate funds in the next budget allocation as in the case of the proposed 2021 annual budget. In so doing, the city must adhere to prioritize budget appropriations for the vaccines and let go of the budget that is totally self-serving and inappropriate in these pandemic times,” the group’s statement reads.
According to the group, the city residents need a comprehensive response “to alleviate their starvation and misery” at this point in time.
“We as members of Civil Society Organizations in Cebu were totally alarmed of what has transpired of the grueling budget hearings. We maintained our position that a real budget for the City that must be passed should be in consonance with the needs of its constituency. A budget that will negate the impacts brought about by the onslaught of the pandemic,” it further read.
The group said they fully subscribe to the framework for good governance invoking the principle of accountability, transparency, and honesty as basis of enacting a budget that will conform to the needs of the residents in a pandemic state. — FPL (FREEMAN)