JVR submits P74M SB-4

CEBU, Philippines - For the fourth time, Talisay City Mayor Johnny “JVR” V. De los Reyes has submitted a supplemental budget for the City Council’s approval.

This time, the mayor is asking the legislative body P74 million to be used mostly for the acquisition of new equipment such as traffic lights and vehicles and for the construction and rehabilitation of city infrastructures.

He also included P9.1 million for the salaries of job order workers that they have yet to receive for the services rendered from August to October this year. The same appropriation covers for their salaries for November and December.

De los Reyes said the allocation will be used to pay for the salaries of more than 500 job order workers assigned in various offices, including the Mananga Task Force, Revenue Generation Collection Enforcement, Peace and Order, Stray Dog Prevention, Housing Board Maintenance, Clean and Green, Talisay City Sports Commission, Anti-Drug Fund campaign, Messengerial Services, Talisay Metro Aide, Janitorial Services and Youth Performing Arts Commission.

It will also include salaries of 39 confidential job order workers, he added.

De los Reyes threatened members of the City Council to face the “wrath of the people” if they fail to pass the proposed supplemental budget.

In a separate interview, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, the council presiding officer, said like in the previous supplements, the city councilors will continue to scrutinize the mayor’s budget.

Villarante said he is hoping that these job order workers will not be used for political gains.

He said they will be asking the human resource officer to justify the hiring of JO personalities.

City Councilor Edward Alesna, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, said they will study De los Reyes’ SB-4 to determine whether it is necessary to allow for the whole amount.

However, this early, Alesna said there is a possibility that the council will slash the mayor’s proposed intelligence fund amounting to P4.9 million.

Alesna also said they will look into the P50 million in allocations De los Reyes made for infrastructure projects and for the acquisition of vehicles since the 20 percent development fund from the Internal Revenue Allotment has not yet been reportedly used. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc of BANAT News