Talisay opposition dads to scrutinize budget

CEBU, Philippines - Opposition city councilors have indicated they will scrutinize the 2013 annual budget especially the appropriations for repair and maintenance of city-owned government vehicles when Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez submits this to the city council for approval.

City Councilor Romeo Villarante, Danilo Caballero and Valeriano Ylanan said they will take a closer look on the budget appropriations for city-owned vehicles for repair and its maintenance. 

Caballero proposed a resolution to ask the mayor for the immediate repair of all garbage trucks and their maintenance. 

It was further revealed that based on the record of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Collection and Transport shows that the city has 11 garbage trucks but only four of these are in good condition.

A resident of Tierra Grande Camella Homes in barangay Lawaan I told reporters about the failure of the city to collect garbage in their area saying that it’s been a month since a garbage truck from the city collected waste in their area.

They said the homeowners were forced to pay a private group to collect their garbage.

But prior to the approval of the resolution, majority floor leader Rodi Cabigas suggested that instead of repairing the garbage truck, it would be best for the city government to purchase another garbage truck. 

“Why not purchase a new garbage truck instead ato pang ipaayo unya mas dako pa hinuon ang gasto sa pagpaayo kaysa magpalit kita og bag-o,” Cabigas said. 

According to Cabigas, he had observed that some personnel at the city’s motor pool are inefficient in their job and have failed to repair unserviceable trucks and vehicles of the government. 

“Ang system diha sa motorpool, wala’y klaro. Inefficient kaayo na sila diha,” Cabigas said. 

This observation was also shared by Caballero saying that if they are inefficient, they should be replaced and removed. 

The city has an appropriation of P8 million for repair and maintenance of city’s vehicles. 

The law provides that the local chief executive should submit to the council the proposed annual budget for the coming year not later than October 20. (FREEMAN)