DEADLINE FOR 2022 BUDGET IS MARCH 31

AN official of the Department of Interior and  Local Government upheld the process being implemented by the Dagupan Sanggunian Panlungsod in approving the city’s 2022 annual budget.

Michael David Casignia, local government operations officer of DILG affirmed the explanation of Councilor Michael Fernandez that the Executive order 138 of President Rodrigo Duterte mandates all local government units and other government agencies to submit their respective Devolution Transition Plans (DTP) in compliance with the Mandanas ruling of the Supreme Court, and therefore, cannot be amended or superseded by a mere memorandum circular of a government department.

Councilor Fernandez made the clarification in reply to the claim of Councilor Celia Lim that Memorandum Circular 82-a of the Department of Budget and Management issued in August 2021 may have already amended EO 138 signed by President Duterte.

Casignia, a resource person at the March 1 regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, said , “EO 138 (of President Duterte) still stands,” as he confirmed that SP’s approval upon review of submitted requirements by city is mandatory, and not optional, contrary to the executive department’s insistence to bypass SP’s approval.

Casignia rejected Councilor Lim’s claim that it is not mandatory, that the city mayor can submit the DTP directly as part of the supporting documents of the AIP and the Local Development Plan for budget authorization purposes.

Fernandez had pointed out that EO 138 mandates the submission of the DTP by all LGUs not later than December 12, 2021 while Local Budget Memorandum 82 states that the Annual Investment Plan, including the DTP, and other integral plans and all the supporting documents as may be required or deemed necessary must be duly approved by the Sanggunian through a resolution.

When City Budget Officer Jessa Royupa cited the city’s dilemma, it being in an “isolated situation” without an approved DTP and “an approved annual budget for 2022”, she asked Casignia what must be tackled first: the DTP or the annual budget to which Casignia replied annual budget cannot be acted on without DTP.

He maintained that the DTP should be integrated into the annual budget for 2022 and pointed out that since the December 12, 2021 deadline has lapsed, SP is allowed to enact a supplemental budget for the downloaded functions and services from the national government but only after the SP approved an annual budget.

Fernandez informed Casignia that the SP is requiring the DTP and the detailed Project Procurement Management Plan of the different departments of the city government but  the city hall merely submitted a lump sum indicative annual procurement plan on January  20, 2022.

After Casignia said the SP has 90 days after December 31, 2021 to pass a new budget otherwise the city will have to operate on a reenacted budget,  Fernandez moved for the passage of a resolution instructing City Secretary Ryan Ravanzo to reiterate to Mayor Brian Lim SP’s request for the submission of the itemized Annual Procurement Plan and the Procurement Management Plan of different city departments, that without these the SP cannot pass the budget. (Leonardo Micua)

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