Talisay Council passes 2013 budget

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council approved yesterday the proposed P582 million budget for 2013 with barely a hitch.

The budget got the nod of 11 Councilors and Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, the Council’s presiding officer.

Councilor Rodolfo Cabigas, chairman of the committee on appropriation, budget management and ways and means, explained that the 2013 budget is higher than this year’s budget of P470 million because of the share of the city’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the national government and the collection of local taxes.

The 2013 budget includes P479 million for the general fund, P66.5 million for 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 takes up the bulk of the budget’s total expenditures with P232.7 million followed by non-office expenditures worth P98 million. Meanwhile, the budget for salaries and wages of employees gets the biggest chunk of the maintenance and other operating expenses worth P90 million.

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

Still, Councilor Valeriano Ylanan questioned why the city cannot even provide for air-conditioning units and furniture. He asked budget officer Edgar Mabunay to explain the alleged “selective” appropriations.

“Millions atong budget pero wala gyud ta makagahin og bisan aircon sa taga-offices ug wala gani furniture sa among mga opisina. Gikan ko naglingkod niadtong 2010 ug hangtod karon wala gyud ko’y nadawat,” Ylanan said.

Citing the decrease of the IRA, Mabunay admitted there was no budget appropriation on furniture, fixtures and equipment of offices in the previous budget.

Bucao also defended Mabunay, saying even his own request for furniture, fixtures and equipment for his office was not granted by the city budget office.

“Please, do not abuse your mind. Even my office wala gani,” Bucao told Ylanan.

The 2013 budget already includes a P5 million appropriation for furniture, fixtures and equipment. –JMO (FREEMAN)