Fernandez: City still needs P25.2-M
TO COVER DEFICIT
THE Dagupan City government still needs to raise P25.2 million to avoid being in deficit at the end of the year.
Towards this, Mayor Belen Fernandez has ordered the City Treasurer’s Office to work double-time in its collection of taxes to be able to raise the amount needed to pay for all the city’s remaining obligations till the end of the year.
Inheriting an almost empty city coffer from the previous administration, Fernandez managed to survive for four months from July as a result of cost-cutting and efficient husbanding of the city’s resources, combined by increased tax collection efforts.
But after months of hand-to-mouth existence, Fernandez was told the looming deficit has not eased. City Budget Officer Luz de Guzman reported that P25.2 million will still be needed by the city to keep it afloat till the end of the year in the face of a projected collection shortfall of P30 million till the end of the year.
The city’s outstanding payables include electricity expense from September to December in the amount of P12 million at P4 million per month; wages for job order employees which include emergency workers P3.7 million, consultants, P520,000; security guards, P1.2 million; all barangay workers, P2.4 million and an additional bonus for workers, P5.4.
City hall only succeeded to raise funds for the payment of electricity for the month of July and August.
Determined not to make the city to incur a deficit at the end of the year, Fernandez asked all hands in the city hall to help and submit plans in order to meet the target.
“I don’t want a deficit at the end of the year, kung kaya natin,” the mayor said recalling how the administration of then Mayor Benjamin Lim that started the year with a beginning deficit of P34 million in January this year to cover city’s expenses in 2012, seriously affecting the city’s activities in 2013.
The city has been incurring a bigger deficit every month since and until Fernandez assumed the post and the struggle continues.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
