CEBU CITY (Feb. 29, 2024) – The First Supplemental Budget of 2024 (SB1) will be funded from back-up cash in the city’s Local Development Fund (LDF) supposedly for projects listed from 2014 to 2017.
“We do not have to raise additional cash” to fund SB1 as Mayor Mike Rama had instructed, according to lawyer Jerone G. Castillo, the acting city budget officer who sits as chairman of the Local Finance Committee (LFC).
SB1 amounts to P963 million, he disclosed. (Read separate story.)
Interviewed on Pagtuki, Pagsusi, Pagsuta (Check, Verify, Validate) segment of Sugboanon Channel yesterday, Castillo said the LFC noted LDF listed projects that remained unimplemented and considered already stale or outdated.
“Nakit-an nato sa pag-examine sa LDF nga naa ma’y daghaang items supported by cash nga back-up, dugay na kaayo,” he said.
“These are barangay-based nga mga projects nga irrelevant na seguro og atong i-execute karon because of the prices,” he added.
Castillo said the LFC considered these LDF items as fund source to realign “so that we do not have to raise additional cash because these are already covered by cash back-up.”
He said the LFC examined each item and consulted Councilor Franklyn O. Ong on behalf of the barangays as president of the Liga ng mga Barangays (LnB).
The LFC also conferred with Councilors Donaldo C. Hontiveros and Noel G. Wenceslao, the former as acting vice mayor and the latter as chairman of the committee on budget and finance.
It did “to ensure no misunderstanding,” he said.
“Before we did the sourcing, amo na’ng gi-preliminarily clear nila that we are looking at (specific LDF projects) as possible source of funds,” Castillo said.
“Hopefully, wala na kaayo ta’y questions later on kay na-explain na man namo nila beforehand (how) we are sourcing the items and the amounts,” he added.
The acting city budget officer bared that Mayor Rama appreciated the tact, and instructed LCF members to similarly coordinate and consult ahead appropriate councilors in the future.
“Para ig abot diri sa plenary more or less kahibaw na ang mga members sa Sangguniang Panlungsod unsa gyud gihimo sad sa executive,” he explained.
Castillo clarified the LFC only realigned LDF-listed projects “nga wala gyud na sila nasugdan. Ang naa ra gyud ana, ang amount.”
He also qualified that the LFC did not touch projects that have been started. “Kung nasugdan na, dili man na pwede nato i-reprogram. I-implement na man gyud na,” he pointed out.
He said the LFC took due diligence to check the status of the barangay-based projects.
“Pero wala gyud ka’y makit-an nga papel nga nagdagan nga ma-execute ni, not even a program or works and estimate,” he noted.
He shared there were also funds for projects since 2007 until 2014 that have been realigned. “If implemented now, the pricing would no longer fit with current costings. It would be impracticable for these projects as of this time.” he said.
Re-program
Castillo, however, made it clear that some projects affected in the realignment of funds may still be realized. “Di seguro ta ka-ingon nga wa na’y need, but we have to re-program these,” he explained.
He said city administrator Collin N. Rosell instructed the LFC to reassess projects that have become impractical to implement at this time.
“Ato na’ng i-program based on present needs, and prepare a new cost estimate for these projects,” he said, adding these will be included in the annual plan that will be subjected to CCDC approval.
“Kaning man gu’ng mga project sa barangay, needed man sad ni sila. We are looking at the entirety of the city of Cebu. That includes kaning atong mga kabarangayan,” Castillo said.
“Ilabi na sa declaration ni Mayor, klaro man gyud ang iyang policy direction, that the barangays should operate as city-like already,” he added.
He said the reprogramming of barangay-based projects will need to be aligned with BARUG CEBU CITY that defines the parameters attuned to the people’s collective aspirations for a Singapore-like Cebu City with Melbourne features.
The program of government of the Rama-Garcia Administration, it stands for:
- Better Business Environment and Employment Opportunities
- Adequate Water Supply
- Resettlement and Housing
- Urban and Upland Development
- Good Governance, Peace & Order, Public Safety, and Disaster Resilience
- Comprehensive Educational Support
- Environmental Management and Sustainability
- Barangay Welfare and Community Development
- Universal Health Care and Programs for the Elderly and PWD
- Cultural, Historical, Arts, Tourism, International Relations, and Spiritual Upliftment
- Infrastructure and Technological Advancement
- Traffic Management and Mass Transit System
- Youth, Children, and Sports Development
| PPRMN/cte
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