Calimlim: City not bankrupt!
The head of the city budget has dispelled speculations that city is now bankrupt and only P50 million is left in the coffer.
IIdefonso Calimlim, city budget officer clarified to The PUNCH that the city has still funds for some projects but admitted that there is, indeed, not enough funds for the planned reorganization at the city hall.
“Hindi pa po bankrupt and syudad. Pero hindi ko rin sinasabi na sapat yung pera, depende po yun sa collection,” said Calimlim.
Calimlim was reacting to The PUNCH report that the city has only P50 million left in the coffer. In the PUNCH story, nowhere was the word “bankrupt’ mentioned.
He said based on the annual investment plan of the city submitted with the Department of Budget and Management on May 9 for review, only P15 million was appropriated for the planned reorganization.
But since the appropriated budget is not really enough for the reorganization, the city has to secure more money to include P15 million “for the city to cover the separation and retirement fees of its employees,” Calimlim explained.
Earlier, Calimlim expressed serious doubts if the P15 million intended for reorganization will be approved by the DBM since development fund as a rule cannot be used for personal services.
“Fifty-fifty po yung chance kung papayagan ng DBM,” a worried Calimlim said as he hoped that DBM would not notice the P15 million appropriated for reorganization.
He said he opposes the planned reorganization since it might paralyze the operation of the city once it is implemented, not to mention the lack of budget of the city to cover it.
City Mayor Benjamin Lim appears bent on implementing the reorganization to improve the delivery of services and to professionalize the employees.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan also admitted that the lack of funds to cover the reorganization remains the biggest obstacle to its implementation.
He earlier admitted before the committee on good government headed by Councilor Teofilo Guadiz III that the city is planning to implement the planned reorganization on a graduated scale.
Meanwhile, Calimlim, said the city is still capable of paying regularly the salaries of its employees.
“Only the wages of emergency workers are delayed because these were not included in the city’s budget,” he said. – AQL
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