Jonas to support barangay projects

CEBU, Philippines – The 27 barangay captains in Mandaue City can still implement projects despite being excluded from the budget of the 2011Annual Investment Plan.

Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday said the barangays, without their regular P1 million budget this time, can still implement projects with the assurance that the city will back these ventures.

Last Wednesday, the city council approved and adopted the city's AIP for 2011 in the amount of P86.4 million, intended for all citywide projects.

Cortes, during yesterday's press conference with reporters, said barangay captains can still name the projects they want implemented but it will be the city that will determine what projects are to be prioritized.

Cortes, during his first term of office, allotted P27 million in the AIP as aid to barangays for their projects.

The mayor said that after thorough evaluation, it was found out that the projects being implemented had no impact as these were all done in phases and most projects were not completed.

It was also found out that part of the money was used as "band-aid" solution to some problems.

The budget for the AIP is taken from the 20% development fund of the annual budget.

The projects that are covered in the 2011 AIP include the installation and rehabilitation of traffic lights with an estimated cost of P30 million, concrete paving, asphalt overlay, improvement, maintenance of various roads, P 20 million, lot acquisition for housing sites, P20 million, lot acquisition for road rights of way, P1.4 million, installation and improvement of sidewalks, P3 million, construction, repair and improvement of government buildings and other structures, P5million.

The city government is also set to implement next year the city's comprehensive drainage plan with an initial P10 million which is still under the AIP.

The master drainage plan was initiated by former Mandaue City mayor now provincial board member Thadeo Ouano and it cost the city P11.4 million for its completion.

The city is also set to open new roads next year with a P7,000 budget still under the AIP. (FREEMAN)