Margot finds P136M "unused" DEPW budget

CEBU, Philippines -  This year's P136 million appropriation of the Department of Engineering and Public Works was found unused during the deliberation of the proposed 2014 annual budget of the City of Cebu.

Majority floor leader, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, said a bulk of said amount was not utilized under Capital Outlay of P109.8 million as days left before the current year ends.

Osmeña said that P110 million was appropriated for the construction of buildings but only P22 million of the total appropriation were spent, P48 million unspent from the P52 million allocated for the construction of waterways, aqueducts, seawall and among others.

The P10 million appropriated budget for the road concreting was not even use, according to Osmeña.

Osmeña pointed out that DEPW has proposed bulk of amount for the said items or accounts which are not even utilized yet.

DEPW has proposed a P3.9 billion budget for next year, which is the biggest appropriation of the "reduced" P5.8 billion proposed 2014 annual budget.

The appropriations include P215 million for the construction of DEPW and DPS 4-storey building near the city's warehouse of the City Hall block, South Road Properties, P22 million rehabilitation and construction of health centers.

Also, P10 million for rehabilitation and recovery of city sidewalks, P86 million for asphalting, P226 million concreting and drainage in urban areas, P100 million road widening, P200 million repair of damaged roads and among others.

DEPW head Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez explained that they need a new building because they are only renting at Yutivo building across Cebu City Hall at P156 per month.

Osmeña commented saying "in a long run its always better to own than to rent".

Meanwhile, CITOM executive director, lawyer Rafael Yap, said they are planning to have a comprehensive traffic management master plan.

He added that UP Diliman will undertake the study or will conduct a feasibility study.

"This (traffic plan) will minimize traffic incidents in Cebu City and will charter to city's development," Yap said.  (FREEMAN)