Outstanding taxpayers award: City Council defers P2.3 million budget

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has deferred the approval of the P2.3 million budget proposal for the awarding activity of the 2011 Outstanding Taxpayers due to the failure of the City Treasurer’s Office to attach a detailed breakdown of expenses.

The council has summoned City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva to an executive session on Wednesday which will follow immediately after the regular session.

Councilor Jose Daluz III moved for the deferment of the resolution allowing the P2.3 million to be charged against the City Sponsored Activities Annual Budget Appropriations.

He said that council must be appraised first on how the budget will be specifically spent because the CTO only attached a general breakdown of the expenses.

In the budget proposal, the CTO indicates budgetary estimates for the function room including food for 777 people to cost P700,000, the plaques to cost P655,000, the invitation, corsage, giveaways and other incidental expenses to cost P250,000, the lights, sound and stage constructions to cost P230,000 and the videographic and other production accessories to cost P118,000.

The events planning, events coordinator, scriptwriting, show direction, and stage management cost P248,000, the orchestra and dance troupe for P60,000 and the costume for the 15 ushers, 15 usherettes and the dancing tax collectors will cost P60,000.

The awarding of the Outstanding Taxpayers for 2011 will be held on July 15. This year, the city will be awarding 20 Real Property Tax payers, 20 Business Tax payers, four PEZA-registered business establishments, five market vendors, five fish vendors, 10 suppliers, Top 15 barangays in terms of Real Property Tax collections, 20 Special Awards and 20 CTO collectors.

A committee was created to take charge of the evaluation of the awardees. Last year’s activity was held in the last week of May. Oliva is yet to explain the delay of the awarding this year. — (FREEMAN)