Why are no funds asked for Christmas,cancer screening?

The mayor’s  proposed budget for Cebu City  increased its outlay for  city-sponsored activities next year but there was no allocation for Christmas activities in 2016 or for free breast cancer screening.

The lack  was pointed out by Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña  during  budget hearings for the city’s proposed P8.9 billion annual budget.

“Why is Christmas zero? Christmas always happens, it’s not optional. It’s very strange that now it’s zero. Are you canceling Christmas?” Osmeña asked.

City Budget Officer Marietta Gumia told the council the lack of a budget outaly for   Christmas activities next year  was advised by Mayor Michael Rama.

She said the need  could still be covered by a supplemental budget next year.

The second day of marathon budget hearings focused on proposed spending under the Office of the Mayor and its Special Bodies which totaled P1.6 billion.

“I surmise the reason here (for exclusion of a Christmas  budget) is that the mayor wants to spend more before the elections. Perhaps, that’s the reason,” remarked Councilor Sisinio Andales.

There were also meager allocations noted  of P50,000 for the city’s Task Force for the Protection and Welfare of Persons with Cancer and zero outlay for  free breast cancer screening for indigent women,  which is covered by a city ordinance passed last March.

However, the proposed  budget  for  the anti-drug campaign program went up from P3 million to P10 million.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said  they overlooked the budget for the cancer task force.

But if there are funds available from other offices, this will be allocated for the  task force, she said.

For the current year, Cebu City has a  P42-million budget for “city sponsored activities” including  P3 million for the  city’s Christmas activities in December.

For next year, the executive department is seeking an increase  to P59.2 million for the general category.

Activities included in the proposed budget are
– the Sinulog (from P25 million this year to P35 million next year)
– Charter Anniversary Activities (from P3 million this year to P5 million)
– Independence Day Activities (P3 million)
– Incentives for Cebuano topnotchers (P5 million)
–  International Eucharistic Congress (P2 million)
–  Don Sergio Osmeña Day and Other Activities (P1.8 million)
– 5th Philippine Association of Extension Program Implementors Inc. Biennial Convention (P450,000)
–  5th Meeting of Global Network of Magellan Cities (P1.025 million)
and “other activities” (P5 million).