Friday, November 30, 2007 P1 billion budget referred to Baguio’s finance team
BAGUIO Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. signed City Council Resolution 289-2007 last Monday, but referred it to the Local Finance Committee for study and recommendation, returning for revision the proposed executive budget and adjusting the same from P820 million to P1.05 billion.
The mayor, who submitted the P820-million budget, said the City Government should stick to a lower but more realizable budget than what is being proposed by the legislative body.
He said the P1-billion proposed budget is too high and might not be achievable at this time.
The council resolution was considered “jointly and collectively” with the councilors pushing for the increased budget plan to, according to them, provide higher revenue that can be used to implement more plans and programs under the city’s medium-term development plan.
“An increase in budget is reflective of a progressive city that practices sound fiscal management, efficient collection of taxes and the careful identification of additional income-generating programs that will spur the economy,” the resolution noted.
“The proposed estimated annual budget provides for a P20 percent development fund amounting to P60.4 million, but with the projected increase in budget, it would automatically result in the increase in the development fund, thus additional developmental projects are herewith identified which are congruent to the MTDP,” he said.
The council thus proposed amendments to the income component in the proposed budget adding P230 million to the original P820 million proposed by the executive department.
As this developed, Bautista said the City Government might operate on a reenacted budget next year if the council fails to approve the new financial plan before the year ends.
He said the executive department has done its part by submitting the proposed budget as early as September, but the council opted for an increased amount, which has caused the delay in the approval. (APR)
