Wenceslao to Refuse Support If Rama Proposes ‘Unattainable’ Budget for 2015

Even if Cebu City Councilor Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao is no longer considered a member of the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK), but according to him he will not express support if Mayor Michael Rama would endorse a huge budget for 2015 that may not be attainable.

Wenceslao is one of the four city legislators who used to be BOPK allies and formed themselves as independent bloc in the City Council after they voted in favor of the move that allow Mayor Rama to negotiate and sell 45 hectares of lots at the South Road Properties (SRP).

The three other city councilors are Richard Osmeña, Gerardo Carillo and Roberto Cabarrubias. There were reports that the mayor is thinking of a P35 Billion Annual Budget for next year, although in an interview, Rama said it could be much higher.

“Wala pay final nga amount sa annual budget. It could be P35 billion, P30 billion or even P100 billion,” the mayor told the City Hall reporters, saying that the members of the Local Finance Committee are still deliberating the budget matters.

Wenceslao explained that assuming that the city would be able to sell the 45-hectare SRP lots, the amount will not reach P35 Billion.

Lawyer Jose Daluz III, the mayor’s representative to the Local Finance Committee, said the amount would only reach P12 Billion.

The proposed terms and conditions of the sale is that the buyer will just pay half of the amount upon the signing of the deed of sale, while the remaining P6 Billion would be paid in installment basis for the next five years.

“Amo g’yud nga tan-awon kon ang sources of funds makasuporta ba sa gitinguha nga budget sa mayor usa namo aprobahan ang gitinguha niya nga kantidad,” said Wenceslao, vice chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance.

The Cebu City’s budget for this year is P5.8 Billion, but until now the actual collection of the city is still a little over P4 Billion.

The various departments of City Hall has already submitted their supposed budgets for next year, although the Local Finance Committee composed of the city planning officer, city treasurer and the budget officer will still review it whether to slash or to support the amount.

The law provides that the Local Chief Executives shall submit the budget for the following year not later than October 16.