“Severe imbalance” flagged: P15 billion spending plan under fire

“Severe imbalance” flagged: P15 billion spending plan under fire

Caecent No-ot Magsumbol

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Mikel Rama has flagged what he described as a “severe imbalance” in spending priorities under the city’s proposed ?15.7-billion Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2027, questioning hefty allocations for entertainment and vehicles amid persistent flooding and garbage problems.

Rama stressed that the AIP cannot be dismissed as a mere wish list because it serves as the legal foundation of the city’s appropriation ordinance for next year.

He pointed out that only ?10 million was allocated for drainage maintenance and flood control manpower,

while ?77.2 million was earmarked for entertainment shows under the Barangay Affairs Office and ?40 million for confidential funds under the Office of the Mayor.

He also described the garbage management allocation as “measly,” citing ?2 million for enforcement and ?6 million for segregation and waste diversion despite the city’s mounting waste problems.

Only one barangay garbage truck was listed for purchase in Cambinocot, he said, while ?133.8 million was proposed for motor vehicles across various offices. Of this amount, ?81 million was allocated under the mayor’s office, including ?30 million for electric vehicles.

Rama also questioned the proposed ?836 million allocation for job order personnel, saying the expected outputs were unclear and did not demonstrate sufficient public benefit.

He reminded council members that “every stage of a budget process, including the approval of the AIP, we should consider what is written in the document,” rejecting any suggestion that the plan was unimportant.

Rama’s remarks came after Councilor Harold Go questioned the validity of the Cebu City Development Council’s (CCDC) approval process, demanding attendance records and signatures to establish that the AIP was properly approved.

Go questioned whether barangay captains, district representatives and committee chairs had been properly invited to the meeting that produced the investment plan.

“We will be approving a ?15?billion project, Mr. Chair. And I do not accept that we are just being presented by three signatures from three persons,” Go declared.

He demanded complete attendance records and signatures, adding: “The people of Cebu would also like to know if all of the members approve unanimously.”

Rama said the secretariat should provide complete records, including meeting notices and attendance sheets, to demonstrate that all sectors had been consulted as required under the Local Government Code.

“The approval of the AIP is not an innocuous act. It is actually a very important act, and it behooves this council that our budget deliberations reflect the interest of our constituency,” Rama said.

Go also questioned whether the ?77 million allocated for “Bingo Bonanza” and entertainment was consistent with the purpose of an investment plan.

“Are we investing ?77 million sa mga Bingo Bonanza, Mr. Chair? It is very clear that the AIP, the Annual Investment Plan, is not being planned according to the welfare of the Filipino,” Go said.

The AIP, endorsed by Mayor Nestor Archival as CCDC chairman and certified by Secretary Ann Marie Quisumbing and Co-Chairman Joseph Michael Espina, was adopted during the council’s Sept. 17 meeting.

The plan outlines spending priorities across four sectors: ?8.17 billion for institutional development and management, ?4.9 billion for social development, ?1.5 billion for environmental management and ?1.16 billion for economic development.

Major allocations include ?1.51 billion for the Senior Citizen Program, ?502.75 million for scholarships, ?1.25 billion for hospital services, ?955.93 million for social welfare and ?750 million for disaster risk reduction.

Councilor Joel Garganera echoed the call to “put our money where our mouth is,” saying flooding and garbage management should take priority over entertainment.

Councilor Dave Tumulak said the AIP was properly certified by the CCDC secretary, co-chairman and mayor. He added that the minutes of the Sept. 17 meeting documented the participation of other members and established a quorum.

After lengthy exchanges, Majority Floor Leader Winston Pepito withdrew his initial motion to refer the endorsement to the Committee on Budget and Finance.

The council eventually approved the AIP endorsement, directing the secretary to record all reservations and comments for consideration during the upcoming budget hearings.

Tumulak reminded council members that while the AIP serves as the legal foundation for the city’s budget ordinance, its allocations remain subject to scrutiny during the annual budget deliberations. (CEBU NEWS)