SP set to ratify P1.4 billion AIP
THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Dagupan is set to ratify in its regular session on Monday the proposed P1.473 billion Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for the next six years, according to SP appropriations committee chaired by Councilor Jesus Canto.
A press release issued by city hall last Friday said Canto, with Councilor Luis “Chito” Samson as vice chair and Councilors Librada Reyna, Alvin Coquia and Redford Erfe Mejia as members, met at the SP session hall Wednesday and agreed to submit a report recommending its immediate approval.
During the meeting, members of the appropriations committee arrived at a ‘unanimous opinion’ that the SP has no amendatory powers with regards to a local development plan.
Canto maintained that the AIP was already “assessed, discussed, and finalized” by a duly convened LDC meeting, which in this case was held on August 30, 2012.
“We say ratify because all the members of the SP are also members of the LDC. And it is the task and responsibility of each SP member to attend as it is convened each year by law before the commencement of budget preparations of every local government unit,” he said.
Pursuant to Section 287 of R.A. No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, as implemented by Article 384 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations, local government units (LGUs) are mandated to appropriate in its annual budget no less than twenty percent (20%) of its annual internal revenue allotment for development projects with copies of their respective development plans to be furnished the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Canto explained that the AIP shall contain specific programs, projects and activities, corresponding project cost including the necessary fund flows to approximate the reasonable timing in the release of funds, which the committee finds complete in the development plan.
Based on the summary of the CY Annual Investment Program for six years starting on 2013, the AIP provides that P417,192,280 will go to the general public services sector,P585,036,850 for social services, P426,886,010 for economic services, while P44,500,000 for other services, totaling P1.473 billion.
The finance chair said that “the passage of the AIP shall pave the way for this committee to conduct hearings with regards to the city’s annual budget which the local chief executive has also submitted to us for review,” said Canto. (CIO)
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