Mayor commits to ensure efficient use of funds; observe transparency

Thursday, July 14, 2011

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Gratified with the latest decision of the Supreme Court upholding Tabuk as a constitutionally lawful city along with the other 15 cities in the country, Mayor Ferdinand Tubban vowed his administration will ensure the proper and efficient use of the city’s funds.

The SC entered its final judgment favoring the 16 cities on June 28 with a vote of 7-5. City Legal Counsel Edward Kiser said the decision puts to rest the controversial case of Tabuk’s cityhood.

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In a press statement following the news, Tubban said the development bestowed the leaders, officials and the people of Tabuk a greater responsibility to develop the city in accordance to the people’s dreams and aspirations.

To ensure the proper utilization of funds, Tubban said the city government will observe outmost transparency. The involvement of the people is also encouraged in the city’s development programs through public consultation with all sectors ensuring a public-private partnership (PPP) in all the city’s endeavors.

In previous statements, the mayor expressed support to the call of President Benigno Aquino’s for a more active government-private partnership in local government development undertakings.

This was manifested during the celebration of the 10th Matagoan Festival and 4th City Anniversary of Tabuk last month where the business sector provided about 60% of the needed funds to ensure the success of the various activities.

The additional Internal Revenue Allotment as a city, according to the mayor, will help speed up the needed physical and human resource development of Tabuk, such as infrastructure, employment, and other human development programs.

As a first class municipality, Tabuk received P144 million this year from the Department of Budget and Management and as a city it expects to get at least P255 million as IRA.

Since it was declared a component city in 2009, the city government endeavored to put in place its Urban Master Plan focusing on maximizing its 641.70 sq. km. land area for agro-industrial and tourism investments.