P25M fund for Comelec approved by committee

CEBU, Philippines - The City Council’s committee on budget and finance has approved the proposed P25 million Election Reserve Fund, which will be used to shoulder some of the expenses in relation to the May 10 elections.

The committee approved the budget during its deliberation last Wednesday. Councilor Jose Daluz, the committee chairman, said he will bring the matter up for approval before the City Council en banc during its regular session Wednesday next week. 

Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson, vice chair of the committee, had instructed election officers Edwin Cadungog and Marchel Sarno to submit an itemized list of expenses, which will be paid out of the city’s financial aid to the Commission on Elections.

The P25 million Election Reserve Fund is part of the city’s P255 million Supplemental Budget II for 2010. The reserve funds will be utilized to finance the information campaign on the poll automation in the different barangays of the city.

In 2007, the city appropriated P9 million for the Election Reserve Fund.

Sarno said the Comelec has already scheduled several voters’ information activities in different barangays despite the fund yet to be released. Daluz, however, assured the approval of the fund next week.

“Ah, sigurado na nga maaprobahan dayon sa City Council next week,” Daluz said. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)