Sunday, March 25, 2007 Councilors defer P7M budget for recla study
THE Lapu-Lapu City Council approved this year’s second supplemental budget but set aside the amount intended for the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) of the City’s proposed reclamation project.
Unsure if they already allocated a budget for the same purpose in the past, the councilors decided to defer P7 million of the P26.64-million supplemental budget.
Mayor Arturo Radaza earlier asked for the council’s approval of the extra budget covering P26,642,283.48 for the general fund and P7,378,087.05 for the development fund.
But during the council session, opposition Councilor Eugene Espedido said the City already paid for the same undertaking two months ago and he is “worried that there might be duplication of jobs here.”
Councilor Mario Amores, who is identified with the administration, said the previous payment was for the feasibility study. This time, he said, they need an environmental impact study for the project’s application for an ECC.
The body agreed to adopt the P26.64-million budget but opted to defer for one week the P7-million budget for the ECC.
The council wanted first to get a clear basis for approving the requested amount.
Espedido also wanted the consultants to appear before the council. (OCP)
