Budget officer eyes spending almost all of 2009 city funds

CEBU - Aside from not allocating capital outlay funds for all departments of the Cebu City government, the City Council budget and finance committee yesterday learned that the executive department wants to spend almost all of its income for next year.

Committee chairman Councilor Joey Daluz III was surprised because while the city treasurer’s office expects the city to collect P2.631 million in revenues for 2009, budget officer Nelfa Briones has proposed the spending of P2.619 million.

Both Briones and assistant city treasurer Emma Villarete explained that they are confident that the city can collect more revenues next year, particularly if the sale of the lots at the South Road Properties would be successful.

“Sa ato pa kun mahitabo nga wala g’yoy mahalin sa yuta sa SRP, wala na g’yod kita’y kwarta?” Daluz asked Briones and Villarete, but the two women just gave wry smiles.

Briones said the city’s estimated revenue for 2008 was P2.646 million and the actual collection as of September was P2.226 million or 84 percent. Villarete strongly believes that the balance will still be achieved within the remaining months.

Committee member Hilario Davide III also asked Briones on how many employees the city has, including casuals, but the budget officer said there is nothing to worry “as we have not reached our limitation (the set limit).” — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)