Town council seeks Provincial Board help on budget dispute

CEBU, Philippines – The municipal council of San Fernando town is asking the Provincial Board to intervene in the ongoing dispute in the implementation of the town’s approved 2008 budget or the budget for 2009.

The request was made through a resolution the municipal council passed after San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya vetoed the approved 2008 budget.

The municipal council has approved a proposed budget worth P69 million but Reluya vetoed the same for reasons that she reportedly wants to implement the 2007 budget, which is P13 million more than the approved 2008 budget.

The town council, with majority of its members belonging to the opposition, are now threatening to file charges against the municipal treasurer and all department heads if they would not implement the P69 million approved 2008 budget.

The approved 2008 budget includes the P55,624,000 allocation for the General Fund and operation of economic enterprises and the P4,206,794.75 and P2,957,399.00 for operation of the town’s waterworks system and operation of the market slaughterhouse. — Garry B. Lao and Grace C. Guiang/JMO (THE FREEMAN)