Cebu City reports P234M savings from Palaro budget

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government was able to save at least P234 million out of the P405 million budget approved by the Cebu City Council intended for the Palarong Pambansa 2024.

In a press conference yesterday, acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the approved budget for the Palarong Pambansa includes the account of the city-sponsored activities with more than P200 million appropriated budget and the account of the supplemental budget (SB) 1 with P205,974,035 million.

Out of the budget for city-sponsored activities, only P148,029,413 was utilized. This leaves at least P51,970,586 of savings.

As for the budget from the SB 1 amounting to P205,974,035, only P22,999,830 was utilized which leaves P182,974, 2025 savings.

All in all, only P171 million was utilized from the accumulated P405 million budget, giving the city a total of P234,944,791 in savings.

“Despite nga dako kaayo tag savings, successful gihapon ang atong pag host, di man diay ta kinahanglan nga dako kaayog gastuhon para ma successful atong palaro,” said Garcia.

Cebu City hosted the Palarong Pambansa from July 6 until July 16, 2024.

When Garcia assumed post as acting mayor following the suspension of Mayor Michael Rama, he ordered to suspend all the procurement activities for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa 2024 and decided to slash the overall budget to at least 36 percent.

From the P400 million approved budget, it was trimmed down to P262 million.

According to Garcia, the budget trim was motivated by the budget realignment after determining the items that must be prioritized. Garcia also noted that he trimmed down the budget after he determined that some items were “excessive.”

Yesterday, Garcia said that the amount saved will be reallocated for other items, such as the SB 2, which amount is initially set at P500 million.

According to Garcia, the proposal to reallocate the savings to the SB2 is already underway before the Cebu City Council to discuss.

The SB 2 will be composed of the budget appropriations for health, while the biggest amount will be intended for garbage at P150 million.

As for health, Garcia said they have requested a budget appropriation of P120 million intended for the implementation of universal healthcare.

He, however, clarified that this does not include the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), which bidding for the fourth until the tenth floor is almost nearing. — (FREEMAN)