City dads warn of budget frustrations

CEBU, Philippines - The members of the Cebu City Council warned that a lot of people may be frustrated to see that their priority projects presented during the so-called people’s budget consultation initiated by Mayor Michael Rama will not be implemented next year for lack of funds.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña sounded the alarm during the budget hearing yesterday. Osmeña said she was told that during the consultation at least P12 billion worth of projects have been identified by the people invited to the so-called people’s budget consultation.

According to Osmeña, the city government cannot finance all of it. In fact, Rama only submitted P6.7 billion budget proposal for 2013.

During the consultation representatives from different sectors were invited and asked of the projects that they want the city to prioritize. Osmeña, who chairs the council’s committee on budget and finance, said the consultation was not proper because Rama was only giving “false hope” to the people.

She said Rama could have just present to the people the attainable amount of budget that can be collected by the city and ask suggestions on how the money would be spent.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete defended Rama saying the people invited during the consultation were informed that not all of their proposals would be implemented.

This prompted councilor Sisinio Andales to ask Poblete if the budget consultation was only conducted for political reasons.  Poblete was also quick to deny the councilor’s impression.

Poblete and City Treasurer Emma Villarete were again grilled by the members of the council yesterday on the proposed annual budget.

The councilors wanted to know how the city tax collectors would raise the P6.7 billion budget next year.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and the councilors doubted if Rama could raise the amount especially that they are against the sale of the city-owned lots in Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) and the other lot near the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug.

Rama said that the proceeds of the sale of the city lots would be used to fund his 2013 budget. —/FPL (FREEMAN)