THE Cebu City Government has a P13.5-million additional fund from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) that can be used for programs and projects this year.
This, after the City Council approved the cancellation of P13.5 million charges out of the P31.4 million unused balances of the City from Pagcor funds in 2001 until 2011.
In a report, the council’s committee on budget and finance headed by Councilor Margarita Osmeña said there is no harm in canceling the P13.5 million since it covers the balances from programs and projects which have been implemented in the past years.
Based on the records of the City Accounting Office, these include purchases of computers, handheld radios, mono blocks, tents, and sound system for different barangays in the city.
Uniforms
Also included are purchases of vehicles, such as dump trucks, and uniforms for daycare workers and barangay tanods, travel expenses, meal allowances and honoraria for speakers in different seminars.
Also included are balances from the construction of ripraps in different barangays.
The remaining P17.8 million, however, cannot be cancelled yet as this is from funds that were not utilized at all.
NGO assistance
It includes financial assistance to non-government organizations, cash prizes for barangay activities, rural electrification and purchase of office equipment among others.
“This committee believes that there is a need to inform the proponents that such assistance exists. A notice should be sent to the proponents of the prioritized projects for purposes of impartiality,” said Osmeña.
The council then decided to conduct an executive session with the City Accounting Office on June 11 to tackle the matter.
Every month, the City receives P4 million from Pagcor for allowing them to operate casinos in the city.