WHO’S delaying the approval of the Dagupan budget for 2012?

Not us, said members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod who adjourned their session sine die Friday afternoon after City Administrator Vladimir Mata did not show up for two consecutive days, further delaying the proceedings for the passage of the 2012 budget.

Mata, as acting city planning and development officer, was expected initially to appear last Thursday morning but he asked that his appearance be scheduled in the afternoon of the same day.  However, he also failed to show up in the afternoon.

On Friday, he was reported to have left for Manila and his assistant, whom he sent to the SP to present the budget of the planning office, said he did not know when his boss would be back.

Mata also did show up on January 24 to deliver the budget message of Mayor Benjamin Lim.

At the same time, the vice mayor also noted that as of Friday, the executive department has not yet submitted the schedule of actual expenditures and income for 2011, needed for the approval of a new budget.

“We want the city administrator’s presence to answer some concerns that could not be answered by department heads,” said Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair of the SP.

Mata holds multiple positions in the city government including as administrator, acting head of the city planning office, and executive director of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

She cited the inability of City Engineer Virginia Rosario to disclose the plan for the proposed Mother and Children Center and Lying-in Clinic, and instead pointed to the city administrator and planning officer as the official who has the details of the plan.

RIDICULOUS

Then, when the head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Leila Natividad, was asked for details of the P10 million item on the department’s budget, she, too, could not respond and hinted that the SP should ask Mata about it.

“This is ridiculous because we have a department head that ought to know the budget of her her office yet she cannot explain unless she was not involved in its preparation,” Fernandez said.

The vice mayor said the executive also provided a P14 million assistance for non-government agencies (NGAs), which is more than double the budget provided last year.

Fernandez said since there were no details provided for the item, the SP said could not invite the representatives of the concerned NGAs to attend the hearing.

PROPOSED CITY BUDGET

When Mata appeared on the 24th, he presented to the council the proposed budget of P581 million, outlining the general allocation for the various programs for the year.

Under the proposed budget, the general public services sector, was allocated P237.6 million (40.9%); social services, P166.6 million (28.68%); economic services (24.74%); and the city’s basic utilities, P33 million (5.68%).

Citing the big reduction in the city’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share on account of the creation of 16 new cities, Mata said there is a need for the city to intensify its revenue collection.

The city administrator said that the mayor already instructed the city finance team to develop strategies for non-traditional revenue sources such as variable funds, bonds, and equities to generate more income as similarly adopted by the cities of Makati and Quezon.

“Our proposed city budget reflects the mayor’s priorities, the urgent needs of our people and of our city. It shows wise allocation of our very limited resources,” Mata assured the council.

At the end of his presentation, Mata called on the legislature’s support to the city government’s cause and expressed hope that the proposed budget will merit its approval. (with report from CIO)

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