Council denies use of disaster funds

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council did not approve the spending of the P141.4 million, which is representing 70 percent of the calamity budget of the Cebu City Government this year, intended for the city’s disaster preparedness programs because of the lack of procurement plan from the Local Development Council.

Cathy Yso and Alvin Santillana, head and operations officer of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, respectively, appeared before the City Council yesterday as the city legislators wanted to know the equipment to be purchased that will be charged to the calamity funds.

The city plans to purchase a “walking excavator” worth P20.5 million. The equipment can be used in clearing operations and can also carry heavy objects.

A video showing the equipment’s capability and how it works was shown to the councilors

Osmeña said the City Council will only approve the purchase of the walking excavator if the City Treasurer’s Office certifies the availability of funds for it.

Because of the council’s decision not to approve the use of the P141.4 million calamity funds, the purchase of a fire truck, water tankers, audio/visual van for the Public Information Office (PIO), response mobile units, rescue boats as well as the planned asphalting of accident risk areas in upland barangays are among the projects that will be delayed.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, chairman of the committee on budget and finance, questioned the purchase of 30 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras using disaster funds without the council’s approval.

Mayor Michael Rama explained that the purchase of the cameras that were installed in strategic areas of the city, including City Hall premises, is in line of the provisions of the 2013 Appropriation Ordinance.

Rama said the ordinance provides that “the amount of P15 million for the other equipment-CCTV peace and order program shall be charged to the 5 percent Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.”

The CCTV cameras were installed along Legazpi Extension corner Osmeña Blvd, P. Burgos and M.C. Briones St., Magallanes and D. Jakosalem St., downtown area, Natalio Bacalso Avenue and Leon Kilat St., Osmeña Blvd. and P. Del Rosario St., Gen. Maxilom Avenue and F. Ramos Street, Escario and Osmeña Blvd. near Capitol, Gen. Maxilom Avenue and Gorordo Avenue and Gen. Maxilom Avenue andOsmeña Blvd.

Other areas are Sergio Osmeña Blvd and Pope John Paul Avenue, Salinas Drive and Gov. Cuenco Ave., Natalio Bacalso Ave and V. Rama Avenue., V. Rama Ave and B. Rodriquez St., M. Velez Street and V. Rama Ave., Gen. Maxilom Avenue andM.J. Cuenco Avenue., Katipunan Street andSalvador St., South Coastal Road and F. Llamas St. and South Coastal Road corner M. Dela Victoria Street.

The strategic areas are identified by CITOM, PCAC and Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the police. — (FREEMAN)