Capitol realigns P62M for ‘priority projects’

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Development Council yesterday approved the realignment of P62 million funds from the 20 percent development fund to other “urgent and priority projects” of the province.

Affected in the realignment was the Cebu International Convention Center, which was allocated P1 million for its repair in the 2004 annual invest plan. The multi-million dollar facility was damaged by last year’s earthquake and typhoon.

The entire amount supposedly for CICC’s restoration is now earmarked for the rehabilitation of the Cebu Cultural Center after the PDC executive committee approved the realignment.

The realignment came after Governor Hilario Davide III declared that the province under his term will not make anymore repair to CICC, which is already subject to sale or private-public partnership.

Another realigned fund was initially for the “planning and implementation” of the trans-axial highway, which was allocated P9.1 million in this year’s budget.

The PDC approved the transfer of the funds for the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Program of the Department of Agriculture.

The PDC has also realigned the P50-million budget for the construction or rehabilitation of buildings and other government structures to the restoration and construction of provincial, municipal and barangay roads worth P49 million.

The remaining P1 million is for the “eco-tourism development program” in Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town.

Museo Sugbo’s P2-million budget supposedly for its restoration and preservation was also transferred to “other museum and heritage sites or structure.”

The resolution was carried unanimously by the PDC executive committee composed of Provincial Board Members Grecilda Sanchez and Celestino Martinez III, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, Samboan Mayor Raymond Joseph Calderon, Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez, Jr. and NORFIL Foundation executive director Maria Terasa Nuqui. — (FREEMAN)