Local gov’t holds budget forum

MAYOR Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar together with this City Finance Committee spearheaded Wednesday the conduct of budget forum for the different departments, national high schools and Trial Courts in line with the city’s preparation for the 2014 Executive Budget.

The results of the budget forum will form part of the inputs to the convening of the City Development Council set for late September or mid-August this year where the Annual Investment Plan and the Local Development Investment Plan will be tackled.

Salazar laid down her policy direction, which is focused on Security, Health and Education programs during the budget hearing.

The city government has been assisting the Department of Education not only by constructing school buildings but also giving annual budgets to all public high schools.

Budget for public high schools is based on student population, number of teachers and school facilities, and of all public secondary schools in Zamboanga.

During the forum, high school principals presented their individual budget proposals for maintenance and other operating expenses for 2014.

The forum will continue in the coming days to include the other sectors such as the barangay officials among others.

The members of the finance committee include City Budget Officer Virginia San Agustin Gara, Assistant City Budget Officer Ferdinand Alvarez, City Treasurer Soledad Li, City Accountant Sylvia Binarao, City Planning and Development Coordinator Engineer Rodrigo Sicat, and Councilors Benjamin Guingona, IV and Rogelio Valesco, Jr. representing the City Council.

All the department heads of the city government were also present in the budget forum, which was held at the Centro Latino in Paseo del Mar.