2015 budgets of 8 of 22 Talisay villages ok’d

CEBU, Philippines - Only eight of the 22 barangays in Talisay City have their 2015 annual budget approved, while those of 14 others were still pending for review by the City Budget Office.

City budget officer Edgard Mabunay yesterday said he will recommend to the City Council to approve the budget of these eight barangays for their adoption.

The barangays which budgets were already deemed complete are Biasong, Candulawan, Camp IV, Dumlog, Lawaan II, San Roque, Tangke and Tapul.

Mabunay also disclosed that Barangays Lawaan III and Poblacion have not yet submitted their respective 2015 annual budget for review.

Barangays Bulacao, Cansojong, Lawaan I, Linao, Maghaway, Manipis, Mohon, Pooc, San Isidro and Tabunok, meanwhile, have appropriated amount higher than what is mandated of them, said Mabunay, adding that his office will conduct further data verification and review before these will be recommended for approval.

Mabunay said a barangay must properly appropriate money for development projects of not less than 20 percent of its total internal revenue allotment for a particular year; an amount equivalent to 10 percent of its general fund for Sangguniang Kabataan programs; five percent of its regular income set as calamity fund; and provision for basic services and effective local governance.

There were barangays that allocated funds more than the mandated amount, thus their budget have to be subjected for review and possible amendment, he said.

Before the entry of a calendar year, the barangay treasurer shall submit to the barangay captain a detailed statement of income and expenditures as basis for the preparation of the budget for the next fiscal year. This usually happens every October. After the budget is passed at the barangay level, the same will be forwarded to the CBO for review, said Mabunay.

Mabunay said the barangay with the largest IRA this year is Tabunok, the city's most populated area, which is estimated to receive P9,230,273 million.

Following Tabunok, with bigger IRAs, are San Roque with P8,921,436; Dumlog (P6,884,458); Cansojong (P6,853,718); San Isidro (P6,785,035); Poblacion (P6,595,314); Tangke (P6,491,567); and Bulacao (P6,341,712).

Those with the lowest IRAs are Barangays Tapul with P1,623,184, after Manipis (P1,737,977) and Camp IV, (P1,864,778).  (FREEMAN)