CAGAYAN de Oro City — Cagayan de Oro City has approved a ₱9.55-billion budget for 2027, with ₱4.2 billion allocated for safety, security and human development, the city’s biggest spending priority.
The allocation accounts for about 44% of the total budget, while the remaining funds will support governance, economic recovery and regional development under Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy’s RISE development agenda.
The proposed executive budget was presented during the 21st City Council’s budget deliberations on Oct. 15 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel.
Under the budget breakdown, Institutional Development and Participatory Governance will receive ₱2.3 billion, Economic Recovery ₱1.9 billion, and Regional Leadership ₱1.07 billion.
The approved 2027 budget of ₱9.55 billion is ₱600 million higher than the city’s reported ₱8.95-billion budget for 2026, an increase of about 6.7%.
Councilors differ on budget scrutiny
The budget deliberations also highlighted differences among councilors over the review process and the need to scrutinize spending priorities.
Vice Mayor Jocelyn “Bebot” Rodriguez, the council’s presiding officer, defended the budget preparation process, saying the proposed allocations had been examined months before the October deliberations.
“Gihimay-himay na na sa June pa. Nganong karon pa man ang mga questions? Dili ta dapat mo-absent kung daghan ta’g pangutana,” Rodriguez said in an interview with iFM-RMN-DXCC.
Rodriguez stressed that councilors should attend budget preparations to raise questions and clarify proposed allocations.
City Councilor Imee Rose Moreno, however, maintained that formal deliberations remained necessary to raise concerns about spending priorities and public service delivery.
“Kung didto mi nag-air sa among mga issues, unsa pa’y pulos sa atong deliberation? Wala na lang unta ta nag-deliberate. Even the Senate and Congress have deliberations,” Moreno said.
The exchange reflected differing views on the budget review process, with Rodriguez pointing to earlier preparations and Moreno emphasizing the importance of airing concerns during deliberations.
Agriculture office gets ₱119 million
The City Agriculture Office will receive ₱119 million for 2027, with department manager Engr. Bernie Daba saying the allocation would be enough to implement its programs.
“Enough,” Daba said when asked whether the budget would meet the office’s needs.
He explained that the office does not rely solely on city government funding, as national agencies and other partners provide additional assistance for farmers and other beneficiaries.
Daba cited support from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which help supplement the office’s local funding.
The city’s budget deliberations were conducted pursuant to City Council Resolution No. 1582-2026 and attended by members of the 21st City Council, the Local Finance Committee, department heads and other officials involved in the budget process.
The allocation breakdown shows how the city plans to distribute public funds across its development priorities, including public safety, human development, governance and economic recovery.
