Council questions P8M spent for housing sites

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has questioned the P8 million spent by Mayor Michael Rama for the improvement of housing sites in seven barangays without the approval of the council as provided in the appropriation ordinance.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on budget and finance, said the amount was taken from the P50 million lump sum appropriation approved by the City Council for site development and lot acquisition for socialized housing.

The appropriation ordinance provides that P30 million of the lump sum amount will be spent for Barangays Budlaan, Busay, Binaliw, San Jose, Pit-os, Lorega-San Miguel, and Talamban in the north district. The remaining P20 million will be spent for the seven other barangays in the south district– Pasil, Bulacao, Alaska-Mambaling, Tisa, Labangon, Suba, and Sawang Calero.

However, Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairperson of the committee on housing, said that the lump sum appropriation was intended for the development of the city’s socialized housing program and to address the housing needs of the urban poor who are under threat of demolition or eviction.

Dizon and Osmeña, however, said that the ordinance clearly provides that the executive department should go back to the council to seek approval every time it uses the fund.

In a document that City Budget Officer Nelfa Briones submitted before the city council, it shows that out of the P50 million only P41,188,960 is left.

Reacting to the complaint of the members of the city council, the mayor challenged them to file charges against him.

“They can file charges against me if they want. Ngano ang kwarta napunta ba sa Rama Compound?” the mayor asked. Rama Compound in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas is where the mayor resides. (FREEMAN)