Cebu City begins 2027 budget preparations

CEBU, Philippines — Just halfway through the year, the Cebu City Government has begun its Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget preparation process with a Budget Forum held at the Community Hall of Cebu City Hall.

The event brought together department heads, office representatives, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and other stakeholders to align priorities and strategies for next year’s proposed annual budget.

Mayor Nestor Archival led the forum, presenting the administration’s fiscal priorities and development agenda anchored on his vision of a Sustainable, Smart, and Inclusive Cebu City by 2035.

In his policy message, Archival emphasized the need to align government resources with programs and projects that directly address the needs of Cebuanos while ensuring fiscal discipline, transparency, and the efficient delivery of public services.

Vice Mayor Tommy Osmeña, on the other hand, stressed the importance of strategic planning, responsible fiscal management, and collaboration among city departments in crafting a budget that responds to the evolving needs of Cebu City and its residents.

The City Budget Office outlined the objectives of the forum, while the Office of the Mayor presented the administration’s major thrusts and strategic priorities for FY 2027.

Discussions covered projected revenue sources, spending ceilings, and the city’s overall budget strategy.

Under the FY 2027 Budget Call, the city government identified priority programs and projects, including the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center building, the expansion of healthcare services, the acquisition of lots for socialized housing, nutrition and employment initiatives, traffic mitigation measures, climate resilience projects, flood control programs, food security interventions, digital governance improvements, and the construction of a Balay Silangan rehabilitation facility.

The proposed FY 2027 budget will be guided by the city’s commitment to smart, sustainable, and inclusive development, with objectives focused on strengthening fiscal management, improving public service delivery, promoting accountability, and ensuring that government expenditures are aligned with approved development plans.

Cebu City is projecting total financing sources amounting to P13.5 billion for Calendar Year 2027, sourced from the National Tax Allotment, Ecozone shares, tax revenues, and non-tax revenues.

The budget preparation process will continue in the coming months through the submission, review, and evaluation of departmental budget proposals, technical budget hearings, and the eventual consolidation of the proposed FY 2027 Executive Budget for submission to the City Council in October 2026.