Naga, other new cities to raise IRA issue with PNoy

CEBU, Philippines - Naga City and the 15 other new cities will seek an audience with President Aquino and hope he could help facilitate the release of their city-level internal revenue allotment.

This could be the last resort of the 16 cities, of which three are in Cebu (Naga, Carcar, and Bogo), after the Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad refused to increase their IRA saying that by doing so would violate the General Appropriations Act of this year.

"Di naman kuno hilabtan ang IRA ron according sa DBM. So, we're now seeking an audience with the President to air our sentiments," said Chiong in an interview.

Section 9 of the GAA General Provisions states that "any adjustments that occurred, including final and executory court decisions rendered, and such other changes, modifications, or alterations in any of the factors affecting the computations of IRA that occurred, rendered on happened in FY 2011 shall only be considered and implemented in FY 2012."

Chiong said even this provision, which he believes was crafted for the purpose of stopping them to collect their due shares of the national income, the refusal to release their city-level IRA is still "unconstitutional."

Last June 28, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its earlier decision declaring the constitutionality of the 16 cities, which had been contested by the members of the League of Cities of the Philippines for almost two years.

Following this decision the High Tribunal ordered the issuance of the entry of the judgment for its decision, which made it final and executory.

Earlier, the DBM had required these affected cities to wait for the finality of the court's decision before it would release the controversial IRA.             But up to now, Chiong said they are still struggling to meet their P8 million per month IRA when they were supposed to receive P20 million or more as what they had been enjoying since the Budget department had slashed it in May 2009.

Reportedly, DBM advised the 16 cities to wait for next year.

Meanwhile, Bogo City has also asked the SC for a clarification of this issue.  (FREEMAN)