Proposed SB2 may be slashed by over P2M

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed second Supplemental Budget of the city’s executive department may be reduced to P400 million from the original proposed amount of P664.2 million due to unavailability of funds.

City Budget Officer Marietta Gumia said the “most urgent” expenses from July to December might be the ones to be prioritized.

These include current operating expenditures such as P25 million city-sponsored activities for the mayor’s league; P15 million burial assistance program; P8.5 million miscellaneous services for the City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement; P1.7 million for the Bantay Dagat Program; and P10 million “Task Force Kinabuhi”.

The other expenses include P5 million for transportation and delivery expenses; P211.4 million for the salary of job-order personnel; P7.5 million for salaries of casual employees; P56 million for the garbage collection and disposal program; P10 million for the street lighting program; P2 million subsidy to hospitals; and P2 million financial assistance to NGOs/Pos and to senior citizens.

Gumia said allowances for city prosecutors, policemen, city superintendents, members of the barangay peacekeeping action team, among others, totaling P10.45 million might be reduced.

Gumia said the projects under the capital outlay may be deferred, including the acquisition of a lot for a school site in Barangay Sapangdaku amounting to P15 million and P10.5 million for a local government center in Barangay Basak San Nicolas; P10 million for land improvements; and P15 million for motor vehicle outlay.

Other budgets like the P27 million for traffic signalization of various locations in the city; P10 million for the construction of the Lorega public market; P2.2 for the renovation of the city legal office; and P30 million for asphalting of roads may also be affected.

These will be finalized in a meeting with the Local Finance Committee and committee on budget and finance next Monday.

“We agreed we will just sit down with the local finance committee to discuss the items that they want to prioritize or include in the SB-2,” said Councilor Margarita Osmeña said, head of the City Council’s committee on budget and finance.

She said this is “easier” for both committees to plan and iron out and set parameters for.

The committee on budget and finance is set to submit a report on the proposed additional budget after the scheduled meeting.

Yesterday, the budget deliberation on SB-2 was adjourned after the City Council did not arrive at a quorum. – (FREEMAN)