Pasig council passes P3.6-B 2006 budget

Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio signed yesterday Ordinance 28, appropriating a budget of P3.6 billion for next year, up P300 million from the allocation this year.

"I would like to thank all our city councilors for passing the budget this early. As you can see, we are solid here in Pasig," Eusebio said following a simple ceremony held at the City Council session hall

"Pasig’s fiscal position is currently very strong, owing to our cash savings amounting to P2.3 billion. I am confident that we will be able to raise enough income to fund our budget next year, the mayor added.

Of the total budget, more than P1 billion goes to the city’s engineering office, which will oversee implementation of infrastructure projects like the rehabilitation of the Mutya ng Pasig public market, construction of additional bridges and flyovers and construction of new school buildings.

The budget for public health gets the second biggest chunk with P435 million. A large part of the health budget (P286 million) goes to the Pasig City General Hospital.

Eusebio said education would receive the third biggest allocation followed by peace and order. The office of the mayor has an allocation of P407 million while the Sangguniang Panglungsod has P76 million.

The city government also allocated some P355 million for mandatory and statutory obligations like the community development fund, calamity fund and five percent contribution to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

A resolution signed by Councilor Bobby Eusebio calls for the disbursement of funds in accordance with the approved budget and subject to existing accounting and auditing requirements, rules and regulation.

"The mayor is hereby authorized to undertake all the necessary budgetary administrative measures/remedies to ensure the effective implementation of the city’s plans and programs," stated Section 4 of the ordinance. – Non Alquitran