Cebu City Legislator Asks Mayor Not to Disburse PHP800M Aid to Villages Sans Council Approval

A Cebu City legislator has asked the executive department to refrain from disbursing more funds from this year’s PHP800-million aid to the city’s 80 villages without the city council’s approval.

Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, who chairs the council’s committee on budget and finance, also wants the executive branch to seek its approval before using the PHP42.7-million fund for city-sponsored activities.

The two items form part of the PHP13.4-billion annual budget of the City this year.

In a privilege speech, Osmeña cited a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 7 opinion issued on Oct. 30 and signed by DBM 7 Director Carmela Fernan stating that some items under the city-sponsored activities are inoperative because they have been vetoed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Osmeña said the DBM 7 opinion provides that the financial assistance to the barangays has become a lump sum appropriation after the condition for its release was vetoed by the mayor.

The condition, as provided for under the budget ordinance covering the PHP13.4 billion annual budget, states that each of the 80 barangays should be given PHP10 million.

But the executive department wanted that the amount to be given to the villages would be scaled to the size of the barangay.

Based on the DBM opinion, Osmeña said any lump sum appropriation requires the approval of the council.

The Cebu City Government has started distributing about PHP5 million to each barangay.

Mayor Rama said the executive department will continue to release funds, especially for the barangays, as these are needed to implement programs and projects.

Rama, a lawyer, said the DBM is just making an “opinion and not a conclusion.” (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS