Mandaue’s P5B budget proposal up for review

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Council on Monday referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations the city government’s proposed ?5-billion budget for 2027.

The proposed budget is ?500 million higher than the ?4.5-billion allocation for 2026. The committee will scrutinize the spending plan before the council proceeds with the next steps in the approval process.

City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said the proposed increase would support programs under the administration of Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, including digitalization initiatives and software applications for the City Planning Office and City Engineering Office.

The city is also preparing for the possible effects of El Niño, including the planned purchase of water tanks and water filtration systems.

Other proposed allocations cover the enhancement of existing programs, such as the Libreng Sakay initiative. Education and health programs also remain among the administration’s priorities and account for a significant portion of the proposed budget.

Malig-on said rising operating costs, particularly fuel and electricity expenses, also contributed to the increase.

“Nisaka man gyud kay atong cost of operations kay atong gasolina karon nisaka, ang kurente nisaka,” he said.

He added that higher maintenance and other operating expenses were also considered in preparing the spending plan.

However, Malig-on clarified that the proposed ?5-billion budget did not necessarily mean the city would spend the entire amount, as actual expenditures would depend on prevailing conditions and revenue collections.

“Dili man pasabot nga mao na ang budget, mao gyud na ang gastuon, magdepende man gihapon na sa situation and sa actual nga ma collect,” he said.

Malig-on said the city would continue to exercise fiscal prudence if the City Council approves the proposed budget.

“Next year although we have a ?5 billion budget proposed, depende if maaprobahan sa konseho, tan-awon gihapon ang panahon and we will still maintain a prudent way of spending,” he said.

He cited the practice of holding seminars within Mandaue whenever possible, rather than sending personnel to venues outside the city, as one way to control expenses.

“We are confident that it will be a reasonable and fair budget,” he said.

Based on the city’s 2027 Annual Investment Program (AIP), office allocations account for the largest share of the proposed appropriations at ?1.916 billion, or 38% of the total. Non-office allocations follow at ?1.7 billion, equivalent to 34%.

The Gender and Development allocation is set at ?686.9 million, or 13.7% of the proposed budget.

The city’s 20% Development Fund is allocated ?352.86 million, or 7% of the total, while ?250 million, equivalent to 5%, is earmarked for the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.

For peace and order initiatives, the city has allocated ?88.45 million, or 1.7% of the proposed appropriations.

The Real Property Tax Administration Fund has the smallest allocation at ?5.74 million, representing 0.1% of the total. — (FREEMAN)