Councilor questions budget for 1st Cebu City Youth congress

CEBU, Philippines - Inconsistencies in some items of the proposed P393,900-budget for the 1st Cebu City Youth Congress this August were found.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, who was tasked to sponsor a resolution for the activity, said the one-day youth congress will have 300 participating youth leaders from the 80 barangays.

But Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson questioned the amount for the food and venue at P900 for each youth leader, with a total cost of P270,000.

Japson considers the appropriation very high. 

She said they had held a women’s summit also at the Cebu Business Hotel at less than P500 each.

Japson asked the council to defer the approval of the resolution until the matter is clarified.

Andales said he will ask the Cebu City Youth Development Commission to check the amount.

While approval for the budget for the youth congress was shelved, the City Council approved the appropriation for the conduct of a basic governance and administration seminar for new barangay officials.

Association of Barangay Councils President Michael Rallota, in a resolution, said the two-day seminar has an appropriation of P2.108 million. 

It will be attended by all 80 barangay captains, 640 barangay officials and the secretaries and treasurers.

There were no questions on the appropriation for food and venue, which was at P990 for the two-day seminar.  (FREEMAN)