MINORITY Floor Leader Rustico Ian Achas has raised concerns about the rapid approval of Cagayan de Oro City's P8.85 billion ($155 million) budget for 2025, saying the process lacked thorough deliberation.
The 20th City Council, led by Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez, approved the budget on Sept. 13 after a three-hour session. Achas, however, believes the complex budget required a more extensive review over several days.
“We only spent three hours approving an P8 billion budget,” Achas said in an interview. “It should have been given more time, with at least a week of deliberation, considering the various sectors it covers.”
The budget, which is expected to be funded by P7.6 billion from the general fund and P1.2 billion from special accounts, prioritizes social services, allocating P3.7 billion (41.89%) to health, nutrition, and welfare programs.
The general public sector and economic services, including infrastructure and agriculture, were given P2.8 billion and P2.3 billion, respectively.
Achas expressed disappointment over the budget for solid waste management, which saw an increase from P270 million to P300 million.
“We continue to struggle with waste management. Why is there a need for an increase when waste segregation hasn't been fully implemented?” he questioned.
Despite objections, Achas acknowledged the minority’s limited influence in altering the budget, but emphasized their role in raising public awareness of these issues.
Councilor Joycelyn Balaba, for her part, defended the approval process, citing the urgency of passing the budget ahead of the upcoming midterm election season that kicks off next month with the filing of Certificates of Candidacy.
“Filing na and ma busy na ‘mi after filing so I think dili na kinahanglan ipadugay ang budget kay almost the same ra man gihapon ang mga items nga gi submit sa executive department,” Balaba said. “We cannot afford delays that could impact crucial social programs.”
The 2025 budget reflects a 7% increase from the previous year’s allocation.
