P5.4 million of P6 million intelligence-funds remain unused

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City will have more or less P9 million in intelligence funds next year for the peace and order initiatives and confidential operations of the City Government in coordination with the police.

Mayor Michael Rama asked City Police Director Ramon Melvin Buenafe to coordinate with the City in the preparation of the Local Government Security Plan which he wants to be ready before the year ends.

But before they prepare for 2011, Rama wants a security plan produced immediately to cover the last quarter of 2010 as the city's Intelligence Fund for this year has been barely utilized.

The City Government appropriated P6 million for intelligence and confidential purposes for this year. This amount constitutes 30 percent of the total peace and order fund allocation of the city.

But as of yesterday, City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said that the Intelligence Fund still has P5.4 million balance which means that only some P600,000 were spent.

Poblete said Rama wants to maximize the use of the funds to improve the peace and order situation in the city. He wants to use the P5.4 million for the remaining days of the year.

The Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit allows for the allocation of funds for intelligence and confidential activities but limits its use to specific purposes. The Intelligence Fund shall be used only for purchase of information, payment of rewards, rental and other incidental expenses relative to the maintenance of safehouses and purchase of supplies and ammunitions as well as payment of incentives or traveling expenses relative to the conduct of intelligence or confidential operations.

However, before a local government can allocate funds for intelligence purposes, it has to have the approval of the President.

The amount that can be allocated for the intelligence fund must only be 30 percent of the total peace and order allocation or three percent of total annual appropriations.

Since the city is proposing for over P3.5 billion 2011 budget, the city may appropriate up to P9 million. (FREEMAN)