Budget request for Palaro, bonus received by council

CEBU, Philippines — The executive department has formally submitted before the Cebu City Council a P900-million supplemental budget which would cover the expenses of the city government’s hosting of Palarong Pambansa in July and the Charter Day bonus of City Hall employees.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao, chairman of the committee on budget and finance, said he was informed by the Local Finance Committee of their submission of the budget request. Wenceslao, however, said they could not start the deliberations during the regular session yesterday because it was submitted late for the preparations of the agenda.

“Kay naa man gud tay cut-off, atong cut-off for the agenda every Wednesday will be Thursday of the prior week, karong Thursday will be the last day of the agenda, mao na’ng they have to submit jud tomorrow,” said Wenceslao.

Wenceslao said he was told that the overall amount of the proposed Supplemental Budget No.1 has reached P900 million.

The amount covers the funds needed for the city’s transitional housing project needed for the Palarong Pambansa in July and other items not covered in the 2024 Annual Budget the City Council had approved.

Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros, chairman of the Committee on Sports of the Cebu City Council, said that the P205 million budget request for the Palarong Pambansa includes at least P23 million for the installation of LED outdoor field lights. Hontiveros said the installation will mirror other sports facilities that will light up the venues even at night.

It also includes the construction and installation of the digital and visual LED display which would cost more than P135 million. The budget proposal also includes P47 million for the construction of the extension of Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

The SB 1 also includes the proposed budget for the Charter Day bonus of Cebu City Hall employees which was initially pegged at P25,000 each for regular employees. –/FPL (FREEMAN)