P8 Million ‘Housing’ Expense, No Council Approval

The Cebu City Council questioned the actuation of the administration of Mayor Michael Rama by spending over P8 million for the improvement of various housing sites in seven barangays of the city without the approval of the city legislators.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña said when the City Council approved the P50 million lump sum budget for site development and lot acquisition for socialized housing, it was clearly provided that any specific expenses that will be charged against the lump sum funds should be presented first to the body.

It was clearly stated that of the P50 million, the P30 million will be spent for the seven barangays in the north district namely Budlaan, Busay, Binaliw, San Jose, Pit-os, Lorega-San Miguel and Talamban while the rest is for barangays Pasil, Bulacao, Alaska-Mambaling, Tisa, Labangon, Suba and Sawang Calero in the south.

The budget is intended for the development of the city’s socialized housing program and to address the housing needs of the urban poor who are under threat of demolition or eviction.

But Osmeña, head of the City Council’s committee on budget and finance, said  City Budget Officer Nelfa Briones had submitted a document to them which shows that out of the P50 million, the the executive department had already spent P8 million leaving an existing balance for appropriation of only P41,188,960.

Reacting to the complaint of the City Council that his administration had spent part of the funds without first seeking the approval of the city legislators, the mayor challenged them to file charges against him.

“They can file charges against me if they want. Ngano ang kwarta napunta ba sa Rama Compound?” the mayor asked. Rama Compound in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas is the place where the mayor is residing.