Talisay SP prepared to okay 2013 budget

CEBU, Philippines - Councilor Rodolfo “Rodi” Cabigas, who chairs the city council’s committee on appropriation, budget management and ways and means, yesterday said he expects smooth sailing of the approval of the city’s proposed P582 million annual budget for 2013.

Compared to the 2012 budget of P470 million, Cabigas said there is a slight increase in next year’s budget because of the share of the city’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the national government and the collection of the local taxation. 

Cabigas said the proposed budget includes P479 million for the general fund, P66.5 million for the development fund, P12 million for the Talisay City College, P11.5 million for market operations, P12 million for slaughterhouse operations and P566,290.69 for waterworks operations.

The maintenance and operating expenses will take up the bulk of the budget’s total expenditures with P232.7 million, followed by non-office expenditures P98 million while the salaries and wages of employees will get the biggest chunk of the maintenance and other operating expenses P90 million.

Also in the budget is the appropriation of the non-office expenditures that include peace and order, P10 million; security services, P6.2 million; traffic operations, P5 million; historical and cultural activities, P4 million; sports commission, P4 million; honorarium to committees and teachers, P4 million; and financial aid to the barangays P8 million.

Members of the city’s opposition bloc said they will scrutinize the budget as next year will be an “election season.”

But Cabigas will welcome questions that will be raised by the opposition bloc.

“If naay questions, okay ra man na nato kay dili nato isipon nga ang ilang pagpangutana usa ka pagbabag,” Cabigas said. 

If there are items that will be slashed, Cabigas said that it will up to the majority of the city council members. 

Last May 11, a Memorandum Order No. 2012-116 was issued directing all department heads, section heads, heads of national agencies with LGU concern and chairmen of different committees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, to submit their proposed Programs, Projects and Activities (PPA’s) to be incorporated in the 2013 Annual Investment Plan.

These should be submitted to the office of the CPDC on or before May 25, 2012.

In June 11, a forum on the 2013 budget preparation was conducted by the city budget officer at the Mayor’s Conference Room.

In this forum, the preparation of the Program, Project Management Plan (PPMP) and the Annual Procurement Plan (APP) for the year 2013 were discussed.

Cabigas said the local finance committee conducted a budget hearing which was attended by all department heads, section heads and heads of national agencies with LGU concerns, and a representative from the Sangguniang Panlungsod office.

The purpose of this hearing was to consider adjustments of the proposed 2013 annual budget to current revenue and expenditure estimates. (FREEMAN)