Talisay budget officer blocks council measure

Talisay City budget officer Viluzaminda Villarante has opposed a city council resolution compelling the city government to shoulder the annual and monthly dues and other fees of the city secretary to the Philippine League of Secretaries of the Sanggunian.

Villarante informed Vice Mayor Aberdovey Belleza of her disapproval of the resolution because of the existing budget circular.

Under the Budget Circular No. 442, Villarante said "membership and similar fees paid for personal or individual membership maybe entitled in a private organizations shall be for the account of the member concerned and shall not be charged to government funds."

Last month, the council approved a resolution allowing the city secretary, Emigdio Enjambre Jr., to charge his annual and monthly PLSS dues to the city coffers.

But Villarante said that membership dues to private organizations should be shouldered by the member and not by the agency.

But Enjambre told The Freeman that what Villarante was doing was a "professional jealousy," citing that the league of secretaries is not a private organization but a member of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

The ULAP was formed in 1998 as the umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units and leagues and federations of local elective and appointive officials in the country. - Garry B. Lao