Reenacted budget eyed for Compostela in 2011

CEBU, Philippines – The people of Compostela will not be seeing new projects in their town until the present political deadlock is resolved by the Commission on Elections.

Municipal employees will also have to wait until the poll body resolves the election protest and declare the winning candidates in the last May 10 elections before they can be given salary adjustments.

The situation is inevitable because of the absence of the elected officials who will prepare and approve the town's annual budget for next year.

On October 15 will be the deadline of the submission of the proposed annual budget for 2011 by the local chief executive to the municipal council for approval of the budget ordinance.

However, there is no elected mayor in Compostela at present after the Comelec suspend the proclamation of Mayor-elect Joel Quinio and all the members of the municipal council.

The Department of Interior and Local Government has designated regional director Pedro Noval as acting mayor of Compostela.

Because of the absence of the elected officials to deliberate on the town's annual budget for next year, it is also inevitable that Compostela will operate on a reenacted budget effective January 1, 2011.

The problem, however, is that under a reenacted budget no projects can be implemented because only the statutory and mandatory obligations such as the salary of the employees, miscellaneous and other operating expenses are reenacted.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, however, promised to assist the town.

Garcia said she discussed the situation with Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo during the latter's visit to Capitol Monday.

"The provincial government will be there to assist in instances where there really a need for support from the provincial government," Garcia assured.

Vice-Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. on the other hand suggested to Noval to send his prepared executive budget to the Provincial Board with letter request to review in accordance to whatever legal remedies it can apply.

Sanchez said that even if there is a municipal council to pass and approve the budget, it will still be transmitted to PB for review.

Until the Comelec resolves the election case filed by losing mayoralty candidate Ritchie Wagas, Noval will have to run Compostela town on his own. (FREEMAN)