NEW livelihood programs planned by the Cebu City Coastline Management Board (CMB) are stalled following budget cuts imposed by the Cebu City Council, which is dominated by councilors not allied with Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.
The lack of funding prevents the CMB from rolling out new initiatives, which included training for candle making, liquid soap and detergent production, food processing, hilot (traditional massage) and wellness, and footpath construction, according to a CMB official.
The budget cut impacting the livelihood programs was part of broader reductions approved by the council.
Previous SunStar reports stated that the council had slashed other livelihood initiatives, such as an economic recovery program reduced from P100 million to P1 million, and significantly cut funds for free education expenses.
On March 26, 2025, the City Council approved a P587 million first supplemental budget (SB1), reduced from the proposed P635 million.
The initially proposed P80 million for livelihood programs was excluded in SB1. Items like P35,000 Charter Day bonuses for City Hall employees, P100 million for road asphalting, and P210 million for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center were approved.
In an interview on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, CMB chairman Ed Karlon Rama revealed the impact of the cuts.
Rama said some training conducted in 16 coastal barangays between March and April this year stemmed from a resolution approved in November 2024, funded with over P15.4 million.
However, without new funding, the CMB head lamented their current situation.
“Karon nga 2025…dili mi kalihok kay wala man mi (we cannot move because we don’t have) livelihood projects,” he said.
However, the CMB is seeking funding assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment to continue its livelihood programs. / JPS