Council okays P5.5-billion budget for Oro

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE city council yesterday approved a P5.5-billion budget for city hall for this year, P300 million lesser than what was proposed by Mayor Oscar Moreno but P1 billion more than last year’s budget.

The city’s legislature also approved the extension of the renewal of business permits from Jan. 20, 2018 to Jan. 31, 2018.

At the same time, the city council also gave taxpayers adversely affected by storm “Vinta” a 20-percent discount on real property taxes.

The 2018 budget was approved without an objection on the motion of Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya on behalf of the city council committee of the whole that deliberated on Moreno’s proposal.

But four councilors were absent — Enrico Salcedo who left for the US, Leon Gan, Nadya Elipe and Yam Lam Lim.

Those who favored it were councilors Nacaya, George Goking, Teodulfo Lao Jr., Reuben Daba, Romeo Calizo, Ma. Lourdes Gaane, Jay Pascual, Zaldy Ocon, Suzette Daba, Annie Daba, Dometilo Acenas, and Lourdan Suan.

Of the P5.5 billion, P5.1 billion would be for the executive departments while the remaining P400 million would be for city hall’s economic enterprises, according to Councilor Lao.

Lao said the 2018 budget is based on city hall’s actual revenues last year. The city hall budget last year was P4.5 billion, a billion pesos lesser than this year’s approved budget.

Councilors said they reduced it by some P300 million but slashing “a little of everything,” including the budgets for infrastructure, health, and social services, among others.