Infra to get P5B in Cebu City’s proposed budget

The engineering department and the city’s public order and security agencies will get the lion’s share in Mayor Michael Rama’s P18.9 billion proposed 2015.

“This is based on the desire, wants, and needs of the city which were identified in consultation with the barangays and the different sectors,” said Mayor Michael Rama.

Asked how he intends to raise P18.9 billion to fund his budget proposal, Rama said, “that’s going to be a great challenge for all those who are around.”

He did not elaborate.

Engineering office

The biggest chunk or P5 billion of Rama’s 2015 budget will go to the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW). Of the amount, P1.9 billion will be spent on the repair and construction of drainage systems while another P1.4 billion is for widening, concreting, paving and retreading of roads in the rural and urban barangays.

Recovery and reconstruction of sidewalks has been allocated P212 million allocation, construction of bridges – P150 million and construction of various offices – P75 million.

Two reclamation projects worth P80 million are also being proposed by the mayor. One will be implemented near the viaduct of the South Coastal Road located close to the Carbon Market area while the second one will be situated along the coastal area of barangays Pasil and Sawang Calero.

Peace and order

If his 2015 budget is approved, Rama’s peace and order program will also get appropriation of P628 million which will especially be spent on fire fighting equipment – P189 million; motor vehicle purchase – P108 million; and the construction of a new city police office building – P50 million.

He also wanted P27 million set aside for the improvement of fire substations and another P20 million the improvement of the Pari-an Fire station that is now shared by the city fire department.

The area that used to be occupied by the city fire department at the Bureau of Fire Penology (BFP) Central Visayas office was converted into a temporary city-hospital after the October 15, 2013 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

In his 2015 budget, Rama is also asking for intelligence funds amounting to P25 million and another P45 million for the construction of a “killhouse” to train policemen in close quarter battle.