In favor of smaller one, Council likely to reject P6B budget

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said the P6.7-billion proposed annual budget of Mayor Michael Rama for 2013 may not be approved by the City Council at all because he is sure that the city cannot collect the amount in a year.

Young said the City Council will only approve a budget that can be attained, otherwise the people may come to expect certain projects that cannot actually be implemented because of lack of funds.

“Karon gani nga tuiga amo lang gihatagan sila og P5.3 billion nga budget apan wala pa g’yud sila makakolekta sa kinatibuk-ang kantidad,” the vice mayor said.

As of last month, the overall collected revenue of the city only reached close to P4 billion, including the Internal Revenue Allotment, the share of the city from the taxes that were collected by the national government.

 Rama’s proposed P6.7-billion annual budget is still being reviewed by the City Council’s committee on budget and finance under Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña.

The mayor has allocated P332 million for the Cebu City Medical Center of which P80 million will be spent only for drugs and medicines if it will be approved by the city.

Of the P5.3-billion annual budget this year, the City Council only approved P40 million allocation for drugs and medicines for CCMC.

Rama said he wants to increase the CCMC’s budget for drugs and medicines in order to stop the old practice where the doctors will just issue prescriptions to the patients’ companions for them to buy the needed drugs and medicines at drugstores outside.

Rama said he wants patients confined at the CCMC not to worry anymore about getting medicines outside the hospital.

Meanwhile, the mayor also increased to P3.5 million the budget for anti-squatting and demolition program of the city, which raised fears among squatters.

But in yesterday’s press conference, Rama said the budget will be spent for various purposes to comply with the law every time the city will implement clearing operations.

One of Rama’s priorities is the beautification of the city, including the restoration of the three-meter easement along rivers and waterways.

“Kon mag-relocate kita og mga pamilya nga anaa sa danger areas magkinahanglan man kana og budget mao nga gipadak-an nato ang budget para sa clearing operation,” the mayor said. 

—/BRP (FREEMAN)