Talisay council okays use of calamity fund

Two resolutions utilizing a total of P11.1-million funds from two sources easily got through the Talisay City Council leaving four opposing councilors to register only their objections.

The two measures, both sponsored by budget and finance committee chairman Arturo Bas, involved the use of the P9.9-million calamity fund and the realignment of P1.2-million from the development fund to a certain solid waste management project.

Councilor Alan Bucao's persistent objections against the two measures failed as he only got the support of three others, councilors Emil Go, Luis Iñaki Jordana and Joseph Bernard Odilao.

The seven administration councilors who voted with Bas for the two resolutions were Osmundo Manreal Sr., Jo Florence Bas, Sergio Restauro, Rodi Cabigas, Shirley Belleza, Sabeniano Abatayo and Ritchel Bacaltos.

The first resolution would utilize the P9.9-million calamity fund for the acquisition of equipment for calamity purpose, and for training and seminar for disaster preparedness.

The allocation was spread into P3.2-million to buy a backhoe, P3-million for rehabilitation and dredging of Cansojong creeks and canals, P3-million for the purchase of ambulance, dump truck and disaster paraphernalia, and P700,000 for training, seminars and pre-disaster activities.

But Bucao objected by saying, "It's to early to set aside P9 million to procure ambulance and other equipment. What makes this urgent?" Bas replied that these matters depend on executive prerogative but pressed that it would be better for the city to be prepared now.

The opposition contended that this fund is best used come December otherwise there would be nothing left to spend when a disaster occurs by that time.

"Mura'g makapaduda man hinuon ang pag-aprobar niini (Approving this has invited suspicion). I don't think its fair to the council nga mo-ingon lang ta og executive prerogative. Why is the council barred from asking on how things are implemented?" Bucao protested.

The calamity fund represents five percent of revenues from regular sources and set aside for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and other works or services, in connection with calamities occurring during the budget year. Some local governments use this fund at the last month of the year otherwise it goes back to the general fund.

The Department of Interior and Local Government regional legal officer Danilo Almendras, when sought for comment told The FREEMAN that the city council did not violate any rule in using the fund. But he said the concern here is when a calamity or disaster occurs within the yearend and there is no more money left for such.

The other resolution realigning 20 percent of the development fund or P1.2-million to fund certain projects of the solid waste program also met strong opposition.

Bucao assailed Bas for failing to provide details of the program needing the fund. He also said the administration councilors were "inconsistent" in pushing for the realignment while they earlier deferred the approval of the 10-year solid waste plan and development of the dump in Biasong. - Garry B. Lao