Fund woes hound Talisay fiesta committee

CEBU, Philippines - The executive committee for the celebration of the annual fiesta in honor of patron saint Sta. Teresa de Avila in Talisay City is still struggling with its finances.

City administrator John Yre de los Reyes yesterday blamed the City Council for trimming the budget which he said is the reason the Inasal Festival will not push through this year. The festival is supposed to be the highlight of the fiesta.

“Na-worry mi kay ang budget alang sa socio-cultural gamay kaayo. Nabalaka mi nga dili mi kahatag sa mga activities sa umaabot kapistahan karong October,” De los Reyes said.

In the third supplemental budget, Mayor Johnny De los Reyes sought for P3.5 million budget for socio-cultural activities in line with the fiesta celebration.  However, the council slashed the item down to P1 million.

Because of the limited budget, John Yre said they are skipping the festival this year.

The Inasal Festival became the city’s festival because of its renowned lechon or roasted pig. It started during the incumbency of then mayor Eduardo Gullas in 2001 and was aimed at promoting the city and its specialty.

Seniors’  fund

Meanwhile, the Committee on Budget and Appropriation asked Mayor De los Reyes how he intends to spend the budget for the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs.

Budget and finance committee head, City Councilor Edward Alesna, explained that he is not against giving budget for the senior citizens provided that the executive department can justify how it will be spent.

Last month, the City Council slashed De los Reyes’ proposed P73,886,845 supplemental budget down to P27,736,845. This means that only around 38 percent got approved from the total amount of the proposal.

While Alesna has no objection to the proposal, the committee commented that the executive department has no supporting appropriation ordinance when De los Reyes submitted the P2.5 million for the senior citizen.

In 2015 annual budget, the city approved the P9.5 million budget for the senior citizens.

“In 2015 annual budget, the council did not slash the P9.2 million. No questions asked. In the first and second supplemental budgets, the executive did not ask for appropriation and in the third supplemental budget, the mayor asked for P2.5 million. Unsa ma’y gastohan sa additional budget? There’s no supporting appropriation ordinance to support the mayor’s request,” Alesna said.

The committee also noted that OSCA or the senior citizens office needs to provide a resolution or ordinance requesting for the amount.

“Kung maka-provide og resolution ang OSCA nga nangayo sila anang P2.5 million ug unsa na ilang gamitonon. I’ve checked it, there is P9.2 million appropriation, wala pa man nahurot,” Alesna added. — Garry B. Lao (FREEMAN)