Council defers action on El Niño budget

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has deferred the approval of the P96 million Annual Investment Plan (AIP) intended for the response to the El Niño phenomenon due to concerns raised on allocations included in it.

In a special online session yesterday, March 27, 2924, the Cebu Cebu City Council tackled the resolution filed by Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the Committee of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of the Cebu City Council, that sought the approval of the P96.940 million as AIP of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) that is part of the 2022 Trust Fund.

Garganera, who is also the chairman of the committee on environment, presented the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMO) Resolution No. 65. Series of 2023, approving the AIP of the LDRRMF, which he cited is needed for the budget for El Niño expenditures and other Disaster Risk Reduction and Management activities.

However, the Cebu City Council decided to defer the approval of the budget, saying it needs further discussion.

The said AIP includes agricultural expenditures (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, IEC, and other supplies, tools, materials, and equipment) amounting to P80 million; and health expenditures for human and livestock (vaccine, drugs, and medicine for waterborne diseases, heat-related illnesses, and other supplies) totaling P10 million.

Further, it also covers Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) expenses, including the procurement of a Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System 1000LPH with supplies and accessories amounting to P2,740,000.

It also allocates funds for disaster response operations, specifically for demolition/breaching (tools, supplies, materials, PPE, and equipment) amounting to P3 million.

Lastly, it also aims to provide Information Technology (IT) Solutions for Response and Recovery, which includes a two-year subscription to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-based internet connectivity and ICT Equipment totaling P1,200,000.

However, during the discussion, minority floor leader Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. questioned the agricultural expenditures of P80 million saying this isn't timely considering that there is an El Niño phenomenon and that it will only be wasted.

"This is for El Niño, if we are going to give seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, these will be wasted because in farming the basic need is water…we should be clear that El Niño has no water,” said Archival.

He added that the distribution of water must be prioritized.

Councilor Philip Zafra agreed with Archival, adding that the City Agriculture Office may already have an allocated budget for the farming aspects. He further suggested better redirecting these resources to the purchase of hoses, water pumps, and water tanks for water distribution.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera further said that she agrees with Zafra and Archival that there are items listed that were not part of the El Niño response.

Pesquera questioned the need for demolition/breaching tools and the LEO subscription in response to the El Niño.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao also said that although the said El Niño expenditures were initially laid down, the city council weren’t fully apprised on the budget allocation and its appropriations.

With the concerns raised, Garganera amended his resolution and instead called for an executive session inviting concerned agencies to justify all the expenditures.

The executive session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

The city council also agreed to invite all the barangay captains, the CCDRRMO, the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), Cebu City Agriculture  Department (CAD), the Hillyland Commission, National Irrigation Administration, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and City Health Department.

Garganera also suggested inviting the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) to the same session. —/ATO (FREEMAN)