Capitol’s airtime, ads budget under scrutiny

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Cebu Provincial Board are now scrutinizing how the Capitol’s airtimes in different radio stations are funded out of the appropriations for promotion and advertising under the Office of the Governor.

During the budget hearing yesterday on the proposed 2013 annual budget, it was found out that an appropriation of P10 million is intended for advertising expenses while another P8 million is also intended for the payment of satellite and cable television.

Another P22 million is appropriated for the publication of Sugbo News, the official publication of the Province of Cebu.

The governor’s chief of staff, Elizabeth Francia, told the budget committee that the expenses for the airtime of four radio stations are charged under the item for advertising.

This prompted PB committee on budget and appropriations chairman, Board Member Peter John Calderon, to question why funds for advertising are being spent for information dissemination.

But Provincial Budget Officer Emme Gingoyon explained that it is allowed under the rules of the Commission on Audit. 

Calderon asked Francia to submit the names of radio stations and the program handlers, a suggestion supported by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Magpale claimed that she heard some block timers handling the radio programs paid by the Capitol have been attacking her.

“Gibirahan ko, this is supposed to be promotion of the province,” Magpale said.

While she said some programs over Sugbo TV are very informative, Magpale also questioned why some programs showed some personalities who are not officials of the province.

She was apparently referring to her nephew, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, who is going with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Rep. Pablo John Garcia around the province.

Magpale and Durano are running against each for vice governor in the 2013 elections.  Durano is the running mate of Pablo John under One Cebu.

Magpale said that they have yet to come up with a recommendation as to the proposed budget while they are still on the committee hearings.

She added that they will give the department heads the chance to justify the appropriations under the proposed annual budget amounting to P3.6 billion.  —(FREEMAN)