When she presents the 2014 budget for Cebu City today for final approval, it will be a little more than half of what the mayor asked for.
That will be P5.9 billion next year of the P10.5 billion Mayor Michael Rama proposed.
The annual budget has to be based on a “realizable” income that the city government can raise next year, said Councilor Margot Osmeña, head of the council’s budget committee.
The Cebu City Council’s approval will wrap up a series of budget hearings with heads of City hall departments and offices.
Cuts were made in infrastructure outlays, aid to the judiciary, and trainings and seminars, but the majority bloc in the council retained the mayor’s request to give senior citizens a higher amount of P12,000 a year as cash aid next year.
Also intact is a P371.9 million outlay for the city’s scholarship program and P50 million for the acquisition of lots which may be affected by the planned improvement of the flood-causing Mahiga Creek in barangay Mabolo.
The 2014 budget provides for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses – P3.2 billion, Personal Services – P947 million, Capital Outlay – P902 million and Subsidy to Special Accounts – P818 million.
The sources of funds for a total of P5.5 billion are tax revenues – P2.4 billion, Internal Revenue Allotment share – P1.2 billion, non-tax revenues – P700 million, share from joint venture activity – P550 million, sale of disposed assets – P415 million, and share from ecozones – P200 million.
COUNCIL REVIEW
As a control measure, Osmeña included a “General Provision” in her draft budget ordinance which says that “funds (savings and augmentations) shall be available exclusively for the specific purpose for which they have been appropriated.”
“Augmentation of any items of any department, office or agency shall be made only after prior authority and approval from the City Council.”
Section 4 of the budget ordinance also states that Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) should not be used to pay Job Order personnel unless authorized by the council.
Fund releases and cash advances charged to special bodies and committees under the office of the mayor also needs the approval of the body’s chairman or executive director, it added.
It specified an P8.8 million outlay for the hiring of 41 City Hall consultants who would receive a uniform monthly honorarium of P18, 000.
At present, consultants under the office of the mayor receive P18,000 while those under the legislative department are only paid P9, 000.
Mayor Michael Rama was out of town yesterday on official business and was not available for comment.
He earlier warned that the council would have to answer to Cebuanos for any budget cuts.
Budget Priorities
The mayor had asked for P600 million for drainage improvement but only P400 million was carried by the council’s budget version.It said a Program of Works and Estimates (POWE) should be provided for each project and the locations need prior council approval.
The Council agreed with the mayor on a P180 million Mahiga Creek drainage improvement project and another P10 million for water catchments in the upland barangays.
Other items in the 2014 budget:
P186 million aid to barangays
P142.9 million for gasoline, oil and lubricants
P59 million for PWD cash assistance
P51 million for the city’s garbage disposal program
P50 million for local acquisition for the city’s socialized housing project
P40 million for city sponsored activities (Sinulog – P20 million, Charter Day anniversary – P3 million, Christmas activities – P5 million and other activities approved by the city council – P12 million)
P30 million for the burial assistance program
P29.7 million for office supplies
P20 million for motor vehicle parts
P11.6 million aid to the judiciary