Council told to take responsibility over budget slash

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama has warned the City Council to take responsibility over its decision to reduce his proposed budget for 2014 in half, which may not be enough for the city to respond to possible calamities in the future.

The Council slashed Rama's proposed P10.5 billion budget to P5.8.

Rama has called the Council's move disrespectful as it meant the Council does not trust the executive department to look for sources of money to fund the budget.

"I will repeat, dili na maayo because they are not helping by reducing the budget… wa pa gani mahuman," Rama said, referring to the deliberation process.

Majority Floor leader Margarita Osmeña explained earlier that the local finance committee had recommended to slash the budget because the executive committee failed to show sources of funds at the start of the budget hearing. — (FREEMAN)