Brgys asked to fund juvenile justice

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña reminded the 80 barangays in the city to set aside one percent of their annual budget to support programs for the juvenile justice system.

Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, vice-chairman of the committee on budget and appropriation, sponsored a resolution approving the 2011 annual budgets of the 11 barangays in Cebu City.

But Osmeña moved for the deferment of the approval of the P14 million annual budget of Barangay Mabolo, citing that no appropriation was set aside for the juvenile program.

The Juvenile Justice Act provides that one percent of the barangay’s share in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) must be allotted to the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children “to make them functional.”

So far, only 10 out of 80 have submitted their 2011 annual budget to the city accounting office for review. After reviewing, it was endorsed to the council committee on budget, finance and appropriation for the sponsorship of a resolution at the City Council for final approval.

 The 10 barangays are Cogon Central Ramos (P4 million); Busay (P5 million); Pulangbato (P3 million); Sambag I (P7.2 million); Lorega San Miguel (P5.5 million); Ermita (P6 million); Bonbon (P2.8 million); Basak San Nicolas (P14.1 million); Lusaran (P2.3 million) and Mambaling (P10.8 million).

With the approval of the 2011 annual budget of the barangays, City Councilor Joey Daluz III, chairman of the committee on budget and finance, said the barangay can initiate new projects; fill in new positions; acquire new equipment and increase honoraria and other benefits.

Annual budgets include appropriations for development projects of not less than 20 percent; the appropriations for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) programs, projects and activities which is equivalent to 10 percent of the general fund, appropriations for unforeseen expenditures arising from the occurrence of calamities, which is five percent and the provision for the delivery of other basic services.

Barangays met problems with their budgeting process because of unsettled or unliquidated financial accounts in 2007, 2008 and 2009. — (FREEMAN)