Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Repeal of car plan measure up
PUBLIC indignation over the car plan of City Government officials resulted in the cancellation of the plan.
However, the ordinance paved the way for the car plan remains, so after it took effect, Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas filed a proposed ordinance which would repeal items 1 and 2a of Ordinance 57-2007.
These two items contained the allotment of originally P19.6 million then was brought down to P18 million for the car plan of the City Council and the mayor.
These items were vetoed by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and subsequently overturned by the City Council, which made funds for the purpose still allotted for the car plan, Fariñas explained.
Following the agreement with members of the council, the ordinance will be repealed after it takes effect. Fariñas said the P18 million has to revert to the general fund for it to be allotted for other projects of the City Government.
Funds for the car plan came from the P25 million excess of funds from 2006 Internal Revenue Allotment of the city.
Aside from the car plan, the council allotted P5.6 million for barangay projects and P1 million for a police patrol car. All these were classified as priority projects of the city.
After the news broke about the allocation, officials of the City Government were criticized for allegedly being too "excessive." The council later on agreed not to pursue it. (RO)
