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).