Davide willing to mediate in Talisay budget row

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is willing to sit with Talisay City officials to help resolve issues plaguing the city's annual budget.

In a recent interview, Davide called for the resolution of the issues surrounding the slashed budget, saying the legislative and the executive departments should maintain harmony for the sake of their constituents.

Davide said he is saddened by the situation in Talisay City where the council reportedly trimmed the proposed P1.081 billion budget down to P539.941 million.

"Mosabot pud unta ang legislative department sa needs sa city government and the people of Talisay City. I would suppose nga kining budget gi-propose sa executive is for the needs sa katawhan. How I wish nga magkasinabtanay na unta sila.  After all, pareha ra man sila og objective – to serve the people of Talisay," he said.

Some city officials earlier explained that their decision to reduce the budget was based on "unclear breakdowns" on some appropriations.

The items that were slashed from budget included P41.82 million worth of appropriations for the Office of the Mayor that was reduced to P20.31 million.

The Alayon Party-dominated council said the new budget was based their deliberation on the real needs of the city government as they assured that the cuts would not endanger the delivery of basic services.

Davide and De los Reyes belong to the Liberal Party.

Davide said if such situation happens in the Capitol, he would get offended.

"Mainsulto pud ta ana. Di pud tingali makaangayon kay executive dako gud na iyang area. But I hope mahatagan na og kasulbaran, magkasinabtanay unta gyud sila," Davide said.

In December last year, Capitol's P3 billion executive budget for 2015 was approved without cuts by the Provincial Board. — (FREEMAN)