THE Cebu City’s committee on budget and finance has started to scrutinize the P80 million proposed budget for City-sponsored activities for 2019 under the Office of the Mayor yesterday.

During the budget hearing, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, who chairs the budget and finance committee, questioned why the City has to set aside P6.5 million for the Teachers’ Day celebration next year.

“Why do we need to spend for that? We already gave them assistance and we paid for their upgrading,” Councilor Osmeña said.

Of the P80 million proposed allocation for the City-sponsored activities, P35 million is intended for Sinulog activities next year, P5 million for the Charter Day celebration, P10 million for Christmas Day activities and P30 million for other activities.

In an interview, Councilor Osmeña explained that the Local School Board (LSB) wanted to include the P6.5 million for the Teachers’ Day celebration next year among the items identified and funded under the City-sponsored activities.

“It’s a lump sum appropriation, and instead of including it in the items, we will just cross the bridge when we get there,” she said.

Apart from the City-sponsored activities, other items that were included in the proposed budget under the Office of the Mayor include P65 million proposed allocation for the teachers’ assistance program and P30 million for teachers’ upgrading program.

Shyne Alexis Antonio of the LSB said the teachers’ upgrading program will allow public school teachers in the city to avail themselves of schooling funded by the City Government.

In return, they will be bound to serve the City in the next three years after their schooling.

The proposed P80 million budget for City-sponsored activities next year is higher compared to the P65 million approved budget this year.

The Office of the Mayor has also proposed P25 million for the miscellaneous expenses for the garnishment of the Roque Ting property.

City Accountant Arlene Rentuza said the miscellaneous expenses will cover the payment of interest to the Ting Family. (RVC)