Oro council to deliberate on P6.5-B proposed budget

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council is set to start its deliberation on the proposed P6.5-billion budget for 2019.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno estimates that the total resources will reach P6.5 billion, or P5.88 billion from the general fund and P619.459 million from the Special Account-Economic Enterprises.

Tax revenues from local sources are expected to contribute P3.207 billion, or 49.35 percent of the total budget, while non-tax revenues are expected to reach P1.022 billion, or 15.73 percent of the total proposed budget.

The city expects external resources to reach P1.761 billion, or 27.11 percent of the total budget.

Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share is P1.665 billion, or 25.62 percent, an increase of about 10.13 percent from the 2018 level.

Moreno said his objective next year is to provide more responsive services in education, health, adequate shelter, employment opportunities, and agricultural and fishery extension services.

Creating more jobs will also be a priority, by strengthening the City Jobs Placement Bureau.

Already, Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy expressed support for the proposed budget as long as it improves services to the people. He, however, assured that the deliberations will be thorough.

In 2018, Moreno proposed a P5.8-billion budget. He pointed out that when he creates a budget proposal, it is always ambitious.