Talisay City could lose power supply

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government must settle its overdue electric bills with the Visayas Electric Company (VECO), otherwise city hall, public markets, plazas, and streets could end up without power.

City budget officer Edgar Mabunay said there is P4,668,000 in Supplemental Budget No. 2 allocated for electricity expenses. 

However, the supplemental budget is dependent on the actual availability of funds. 

Under the law, the city may allow to propose for a supplemental budget for as long as there is a need for additional budget, and that funds are available. 

Mabunay said the city has appropriated P55,968,079.09 for expenditures in 2012 Supplemental Budget No. 2 under the General Fund, Talisay City College, Market Operation and Slaughterhouse Operation, expenditures to be incurred up to December 31, 2012.

According to Mabunay, the city council needs to pass a supplemental budget so that the city can pay its power bill.

The city government has an over P3 million pending bills, Mabunay said. 

Mabunay said the budget for the electric bill is already gone or used up so a supplemental budget is necessary.  In the annual budget of 2012, the city only appropriated P12 million but the city already has almost spent P16 million. 

Of the P55.9 million, the largest appropriation was intended for payment of capital gains tax and allowances and bonuses of government employees.  (FREEMAN)