VOTERS’ education efforts of Cebu City’s poll offices will have to wait longer since City Hall has yet to approve the P25-million Election Reserve Fund.
Election officer for the north district Marchel Sarno said they cannot start their information dissemination in the barangays, which they plan to hold in every sitio, for lack of funds.
The City Council held a budget hearing for the first supplemental budget last Wednesday, but did not approve it during the regular session last Wednesday afternoon.
Councilor Jose Daluz III said they will tackle the measure for approval in next week’s session because he still has to go over supporting documents.
“Wala namo na-prepare ang ordinance on the first supplemental budget, that’s why it was not approved. But by next week we will already approve it so the Comelec can use the funds,” said Daluz, chairman of the council committee on budget and finance.
During the budget hearing, Sarno told city officials that they will hold the voter’s education on poll automation as soon as the Election Reserve Fund is available.
The P25-million fund is intended for the supplies, materials and equipment that will be used by the poll offices for the conduct of the elections on May 10.
Expenses for the transportation of the members of the Board of Election Inspectors, honoraria and overtime pay of the City Treasurer’s Office personnel and the materials for divisions needed in the polling precincts will also be charged to the funds.
Of the P25 million, P21 million is for the maintenance and other operating expenses, such as the purchase of supplies, while the remaining P4 million is for capital outlay or purchase of equipment.
Sarno told city officials they will be buying computers for the north and south district poll offices for their day-to-day operations.
“We will use the funds for pre- and post-election activities and for the election day itself. We are planning to conduct information dissemination in every sitio, which will depend on the release of the funds. As soon as it is released, we will schedule our voter education,” he said during the budget hearing.