Cebu City Govt, higher budget allocation for disaster preparedness projects

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the recent disasters that hit Central Visayas, the Cebu City government has increased its proposal on the budget for specific projects next year that would focus on disaster preparedness. 

Based on the budget proposal for 2014, the zero-allocation for this year’s road concreting with drainage projects, seawall construction and slope protection has been given an enough amount for next year.

A proposal of P100 million has been included for lot purchase for river improvement while more than P225 million will be for road concreting with drainage construction projects and P30 million for slope protection.

Also in the proposal is the P18.5 million allocation for the construction of a seawall and P35.276 million for the construction of side ditches in mountain barangays.

Further, P15 million will be for the road widening in Barangay Buhisan, P10 million for the establishment of an eco-park along a three meter easement zone, P645 million for comprehensive drainage projects and P943 million for drainage road right of way.

The projects are in consonance with the Project Reduce Danger Zone (Redz), created shortly after the massive flooding last July and have been listed under the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

This year, construction projects under DEPW was allocated with P104 million but has been increased to P3.28 billion this year.

All in all, out of the P10.49 billion proposed budget for 2014, two percent or P226.68 million will be allocated for the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund or calamity fund.

“Disaster preparedness should be everyone’s business. It calls for a more firm and no-nonsense response. This is the crucible test of our political will where destructive politicking should not take root. Our rivers should be brought back to its former glory and should be freed of any form of obstruction. Settlers along the river and landslide-prone areas should be removed and resettled elsewhere,” Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wrote in his budget proposal.

Also, the proposed budget for financial assistance for senior citizens under the mayor’s office rose to P720 million from the P600 million budget in 2013 while allocation for scholarship programs has been increased from P300 million this year to P371.9 million next year.

The budget for garbage collection for the coming year has also increased to P193 million from its P126.79 million budget this year while miscellaneous services for garbage collection and disposal rose from P40 million to P102 million.

For health care services, the proposed allocation for the City Health Department, specifically for drugs and medicine is at P51.62 million while the medical assistance program of the Department of Social Welfare Services decreased to P100 million from previously being P120 million. — (FREEMAN)