Gan frowns as Oca gets P72m more 45 days before year-end

COUNCILOR Leon Gan lashed out at the city council for giving the Moreno administration an additional budget of P72.4 million for this year, saying the P3.5-billion annual budget should have been enough for 2016.

The city council voted to approve the second supplemental budget for city hall for this year on Monday, just 45 days before year-end.

The second supplemental budget includes P68.7 million for city hall’s general fund and P3.65 million for economic enterprises.

Gan said the approval of City Appropriation Ordinance 2016-53 was questionable given that city hall was already given an annual budget of P2.4 billion and a P1.1-billion supplemental budget.

He said documents he gathered show city hall’s income for this year would only amount to P1.9 billion.

“How can we spend something beyond the income of the city government?” Gan asked rhetorically.

The city council majority approved the P72.4-million supplemental budget with two objections and an abstention.

Those who voted for it were councilors Reuben Daba, Enrico Salcedo, George Goking, Romeo Calizo, Ma. Lourdes Gaane, Edna Dahino, Jay Pascual, Zaldy Ocon, Annie Daba, Suzette Daba, Dometilo Acenas and Yan Lam Lim.

Gan and councilor Nadya Elipe objected to the approval of the second supplemental budget.

Councilor Lordan Suan abstained.

Councilors Ian Mark Nacaya and Teodulfo Lao Jr. were absent.

Gan said the way the Moreno administration handles city hall’s finances would have an effect on how it would collect taxes.

“Ang kinatibuk-an nga lumolopyo louy kaayo. Asa man ta mangita og income? Syempre gikan sa bulohisan sa dakbayan,” Gan said.

But he said the Moreno administration failed to show that city hall has been enjoying a surplus.

Proof this this, he said, many of city hall’s “job order” workers have been having difficulties in collecting their wages.

Gan said the Commission on Audit (COA) has notified city hall that it has been overspending on workers’ salaries, and yet local government services have remained lacking.

“In short, kalouy ang katawhan sa Cagayan de Oro,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Reineir Joaquin Uy said the supplemental budget was approved following careful deliberations starting from the committee level.

Uy said the supplemental budget would be used to upgrade street lighting and further improve social services.

City hall plans to replace all street lights in the city with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs that are seen to be cost effective.

“Nganong idugay og dili approbahan? Gikinahanglan ta kini nga mga programa,” Uy said.

But Gan questioned the plan. “Nganong magpalit man ta ug bag-ong mga suga nga wala pa man maponder kanang atong mga sodium lights?”

He said the additional budget would also be used to pay for an assistant city budget officer and 24 others in the City Budget Office.

“Klaro kini nga political accommodation… Kinsay supplier sa mga street lights?” Gan asked. (lito rulona and nitz arancon)