CEBU, Philippines - Charging of expenses against a government budget that has been declared as inoperative by the Department of Budget and Management can be a risky decision, but the Cebu City Council has decided to take the risk because the bridge project in Barangay Bonbon is badly needed by the people Councilor Roberto “Bob” Cabarrubias proposed that the P6.8-million bridge construction project in Barangay Bonbon would be charged against the Supplemental Budget No. 2 of Cebu City in 2011.
But Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña earlier explained that it could be risky on their part to allow the use of supplemental budget No. 2 which the DBM declared as inoperative and cannot be used because it failed to comply with requirements when it was approved.
Majority of the city legislators were initially hesitant to approve Cabarrubias’ proposed resolution authorizing Mayor Michael Rama to enter into and sign a contract with Geety Realty and Development Corporation for the construction of the bridge.
But Councilor Jose Daluz III, an ally of Rama, said the city legislators should not be afraid to take the risk because the project is badly needed by the residents of the mountain barangays.
“Dugay na kaayo nga nangandoy ang mga igsoon nato sa bukid nga makabaton na sila og taytayan. (Our constituents in the mountain barangay have long been dreaming to have that bridge),” he said.
Daluz said residents of the mountain barangay, particularly the children, are always risking their lives when they cross the river especially when it is raining because the place does not have a bridge.
He said the city legislators should not be afraid of the DBM declaration because the city will just ask that they reconsider their findings.
“Ang findings sa DBM mahimo kini nga maapelar sa Department of Finance ug mahimo nga moabut pa sa Malacañang. (The DBM findings may be appealed before the Department of Finance or even Malacañang),” Daluz said.
One of DBM’s findings which made the city’s supplemental budget inoperative was its budget for personal services or salaries of the employees which exceeded the allowed 45 percent of the overall budget.
Daluz, however, explained that the DBM may have erred in their findings because it included in the computation those funds allotted for Special Accounts. – (FREEMAN)