Full nod for 2013 budget unlikely

CEBU, Philippines - Barili Mayor Teresito Marinas’ proposed annual budget for 2013 is on shaky ground as Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia sees the eventual slashing of some items.

Topping the list of items expected to be reduced is the allocation for intelligence/confidential funds under the Office of the Mayor, wherein Marinas placed P2.3 million for 2013 from the P150,000 approved budget for 2012.

In the proposed budget, the allocation for Marinas’ office is P24,209,903. The allocation for the vice mayor’s office, meanwhile, is only slightly higher at P13,794,799 from this year’s P13,165,690.

Garcia pointed out the mayor’s item for gasoline (from this year’s approved P1.4 million to a proposal of P2.6 million next year) and motor vehicle maintenance (a proposal of P1.8 million for 2013 from this year’s P500,000 approved by the Council.) These two items were also among the controversial items that the Council slashed in passing this year’s budget.

Marinas also introduced new items in next year’s budget proposal under “operational services,” which were not in the 2012 allocation and which Garcia sees as possible items that they will cut.

These are the allocations for the “tourism program” (P200,000), human resource development (300,000) and environmental management (P500,000).

There is also a proposed P500,000 for the “clean and green program,” an item which Garcia said is not allowed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“These are political items that he can use during the campaign. The mayor should expect a rough sailing for his proposal,” Garcia said.

The annual budget for 2013 was already passed on first reading and has been referred to the committee on budget for review and scrutiny.

Marinas had accused the camp of Garcia, who has all Council members on his side, of affecting basic services by slashing the 2012 budget.

“But records will bear us out, there was no item for basic services or projects that we slashed, only the intelligence funds and other allocations that were not specified and which they were not able to explain,” said Garcia of what transpired during their deliberations of the 2012 budget.

“When we talk, we open our mouth with evidence,” he added. –/JMO (FREEMAN)