P10M for CH party

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A P10-MILLION budget is being proposed by a committee for the 75th Charter Day celebration of Cebu City, which is double what the City Government appropriated for last year’s celebration.

But the City Council questioned the amount, saying the budget is “too huge” and “inappropriate.”

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During the council’s regular session yesterday, Councilor Lea Japson sponsored two resolutions charging the proposed P10-million budget to the account for City-sponsored activities.

The first resolution covers a P3.9-million appropriation for the week-long activities, while the second covers the P6-million appropriation to cover expenses a year-long celebration.

Her resolution, Japson said, is based on the endorsement from the Cebu City at 75th committee, the ad hoc committee tasked to organize the Charter Day activities.

But Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, the council’s presiding officer, said he is not in favor of spending P10 million for Charter Day.

“I wonder if the council can justify the budget if we approve this when, allegedly, we don’t have budget for other services, et cetera. That is my concern, really,” he told the body.

Not appropriate

Also, Young reminded the council of their pronouncement last year that the legislative body will not allow a large amount to be spent on Charter Day.

Councilor Alvin Dizon echoed the statements made by the vice mayor and said the City should prioritize the delivery of basic services.

Dizon added it is “inappropriate” for the City to spend so much for Charter Day, when neighboring communities still suffer from the effects of last Monday’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña said the Charter Day celebration, as proposed, is “too expensive.”

“I know that the Charter Day is significant. It’s our 75th but we should celebrate it in a way that is meaningful, dignified and not necessarily expensive,” she said.

City talent

Osmeña, who chairs the council’s committee on budget and finance, questioned some of the items such as the P10,000 budget for the hosts of the Balak Contest.

She said the City doesn’t necessarily have to spend such an amount and may tap instead the services of some City Hall employees.

“We have talents within our own ranks who can act as emcees,” she said.

Also, Osmeña questioned the P6,000 budget for the choreographer’s fee for the same contest.

“What’s a choreographer going to do there? They don’t have to dance when they make balak man, di ba?” she said.

Japson explained that the items in the proposed budget are only for budgetary purposes only, and the actual expenses may still be reduced.

Last year, Japson said, the City had approved a P5-million budget for the Charter Day celebration but only P3.8 million was spent.

Too much, says Mike

Asked about the matter, Mayor Michael Rama, in a news conference yesterday, said he doesn’t intend to spend P10 million for Charter Day.

He said he has ordered the Cebu City at 75th committee to delete some of the items included in the proposed budget. He did not specify, though, how much the City will be spending for this year’s Charter Day.

“I didn’t ask for a P10-million budget because I wanted to have some of the activities sponsored by the private sector. I will check this with the (Charter Day) committee,” he said.

One approved

Despite their queries, the council approved Japson’s first resolution that charges P3.9 million to City-sponsored activities, for the weeklong celebration.

As to her second resolution covering the P6 million for the yearlong celebration, Japson moved for its deferment, considering that the amount has no breakdown yet.

Aside from the Balak Contests, among the activities lined up for the Charter Day is the recognition of 75 outstanding Cebuano families, concerts, memorial lectures, as well as logo design contests and slogan-making competition.

There is also a search for outstanding families in the field of governance and community service; business and industry; sports, media and the arts; religion and apostolic work; environment, science and technology; and the professions.

And as in previous years, the City will also be awarding outstanding individuals and institutions.