Budget proposals up for discussion

CEBU, Philippines - The heads of the 22 various departments of the Cebu City government have already submitted their proposed budgets for next year and the members of the Local Finance Committee are expected to convene days from now to deliberate their budget proposals.

The LFC is composed of the budget officer, city treasurer and the planning and development officer.

City Budget Officer Nelfa Briones said as of yesterday the few divisions under the Office of the Mayor are the ones that have not yet submitted their proposed budget.

Briones said the respective department heads will be required to appear before the LFC to defend their proposed budget. A representative from the Office of the Mayor will join the members of the LFC during the deliberation.

It is expected that there will be an increase of this year’s P5.3-billion budget of the city because almost all of the departments are asking for additional personnel and other budgets for capital outlay, or for the construction of projects and purchase of equipments.

According to Briones the LFC has the power to delete any portion of the proposed budget from the department heads. The LFC will also prepare the executive budget to be signed by the mayor and will be submitted to the City Council for approval.

The City Council is also empowered to slash part of the proposed executive budget if the city legislators do not believe that the estimated revenue collection can be achieved.  (FREEMAN)