In Talisay City council shelves budget for 2014

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council has not acted on Mayor Johnny delos Reyes’ proposed 2014 annual budget amounting to over P629 million because it allegedly did not pass through the City Development Council.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, who presides over the city council, said that the chairman of the budget committee could not act on it until the mayor convenes the CDC.

The CDC plays an important role in pushing the city into the forefront of economic growth and development. Its organization was provided in the Local Government Code of 1991 to ensure the formulation of  long-term, medium-term, and annual socio-economic development plans and policies as well as local investment incentives to promote the in-flow and directions of private investment capital.

The mayor submitted before the city council a proposed annual budget of P629, 854,451.09 last October. The amount is higher compared to this year’s P582 million. Budget officer Edgar Mabunay said that the city government will be forced to operate on a reenacted budget next year should the city council fail to approve its 2014 budget.

Under the present setup in the city council, Delos Reyes would have a slim chance of getting his budget approved because most of the councilors belong to the Alayon Party.

Should the city operates on a reenacted budget next year, the executive department will be compelled to forego with its development projects since only the allocations for salaries and operating expenses can be used under a reenacted budget. (FREEMAN)