Talisay set to fire workers next year

The Talisay City government will fire some of the 798 job order employees next year to "streamline services as well as effect economy in its operations."

This as Cebu 1st district Rep. Eduardo Gullas city officials to lessen the number of job order employees after learning that the city allocated over P24.5 million for salaries of said employees alone in the 2006 annual budget.

However, it was made clear during a meeting that not all of the workers on job orders will be laid off, explaining that the services of others are vital to the government and the community.

Two weeks ago, Gullas met with Fernandez, Belleza, and seven administration councilors to discuss some issues concerning the city particularly the 2006 proposed annual budget pegged at P249.159 million.

The city council unanimously approved the 2006 budget after it was deferred three times. Talisay's budget for next year is slightly bigger compared to the 2005 budget, marking an increase of P24,035,460.06.

The biggest chunk of the approved budget went to General Services at P30,556,244 for salaries and wages for the city officials, department heads and regular employees.

The appropriation for electricity at the city hall, plaza and public markets got an allocation of P19.550 million. The Economic Services appropriation got P11.2 million for the construction, maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges, water and sewerage system and repair of public buildings, and purchase of equipment necessary in the implementation of infrastructure undertakings.

The local calamity fund for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and other works or services in connection with calamities occurring during the budget year was allocated P11,593,724.40.

An appropriation of P8 million went to solid waste management which covers the purchase of related equipment, trucks and compactors, as well as the purchase of land for a sanitary landfill in barangay Tapul.

Fernandez said the city is also appropriating P8 million for the purchase of lots intended as resettlement site for squatters, including the construction of housing units and facilities.

The city has also allocated P6.6 million for other maintenance and operating expenses, like garbage collection; while P4 million is appropriated for the city social welfare and development programs.

The Mayor's Office got only P5,384,471.66 while the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod got a P6,967,049.76 appropriation. - Garry B. Lao