SP skeds budget hearing next week

CEBU, Philippines - The committee on budget, appropriation and finance of the Mandaue City council will conduct a budget hearing on the P1.6 proposed 2012 annual budget earlier submitted by Mayor Jonas Cortes prior to its passage for first reading next week.

City councilor Beethoven Andaya who chairs the committee in an interview said the hearing will serve as the means for the "finishing touches" on the budget since he had already talked with department heads with regards their budget proposals.

In that meeting, Andaya recommended for additional allocations for some departments instead of slashing budgets the department heads had proposed.

Andaya said he is glad the proposed 2012 annual budget has reached P1.6 billion because city treasurer Regal Oliva is confident that the city can rely on revenues from delinquent accounts on business and real property taxes.

Andaya said the City Treasurer's Office is now running after delinquent taxpayers.

He also said the proposed budget might even be doubled through the passage of supplemental budgets which would be necessary for some other needs. - THE FREEMAN