P888M budget for Talisay approved

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council has approved yesterday the proposed P888 million-budget for the city for next year.

The amount, P887,996,775  in exact, will be primarily for the city's development fund, for the repair of Talisay City College, for water works operation, and for the maintenance of market and slaughterhouse operation.

At least P16 million is set aside for the maintenance of the 'double A' standard of the city's slaughterhouse; P12 million for the maintenance of the city's public market; P14 million for Talisay City College; P735,000 for water works operation; and P741,000 as general fund.

Mayor Eduardo Gullas earlier disclosed that bulk of the 2017 budget will be set aside for infrastructure projects.

Further, 20 percent of the proposed budget, or P104.2 million, is allocated for the city's development fund covering the construction or rehabilitation of rural health units, establishment of manpower development centers, purchase of appropriate calamity equipment, installation and maintenance of street lighting systems and rehabilitation and construction of drainage systems, desilting rivers and de-clogging canals.

Also included in the expenditures is P10 million for the rehabilitation of barangays' multi-purpose hall; another P10 million for the rehabilitation of local roads and bridges; P22 million for the financial aid to the city's 22 barangays; and P15 million for confidential expenses.

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao earlier announced that the council would not deduct anything from the proposed budget, although minor changes would be made.

"Naa lang ta'y gikuhaan, unya gitapak-tapak nato sa lain nga area," he said.

Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, who chairs the council committee on budget and finance, said that all city councilors and department heads were present during the series of budget hearings.

He added that all attendees unanimously decided that the budget will not be slashed. (FREEMAN)