OK of P768-M budget assured
BUDGET STALEMATE OVER
THE people of Dagupan City can now heave a sigh of relief. There will be no further delay in the implementation of projects in the city.
City Mayor Belen Fernandez, in a phone call to The PUNCH last Friday before its deadline, said the stalemate over the 2016 annual budget between the legislative and executive branches is finally over.
She said she has been assured of the passage of the city budget by next week at the latest after a two-hour meeting with Councilors Alfie Fernandez, Marvin Fabia, Alvin Coquia and Karlos Reyna brokered by former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., his wife, Fourth District Rep Gina De Venecia, and former Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr.
Fernandez said the four councilors agreed to support the passage of the budget without any strings attached, simply aware of the needs of emergency workers and their families, the scholars of the city as well as projects of the barangays and public schools.
“Now Team Belen is again one and united,” said an exuberant Fernandez referring to her ticket in the May 9, 2016 elections that includes Coquia and Fabia, seeking reelection for third and final term and second term of office, respectively.
She said the assurance of the four councilors to support the passage of the budget will ensure the continuity of her Unli-Serbisyo program.
FAILED SPECIAL SESSION
A special session called by Ms. Fernandez on Jan. 7, two days after the city council adjourned without approving the city’s annual budget of P768 million in its first session for 2016 on Jan. 5, failed to muster a quorum as five councilors failed to attend.
Only six councilors belonging to the majority showed up but their presence was not enough to establish a quorum. Those present were Reyna, the presiding pro tempore; and Councilors Maybelyn Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Jose Netu Tamayo, Jesus Canto and Lino Fernandez.
Absent were Councilors Fernandez, Coquia, Fabia, Minority Leader Redford Erfe- Mejia, and Guillermo Vallejos.
The special session could have tackled two measures: a draft ordinance (No. 0-557) approving the city’s annual investment program (AIP), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) Plan, Gender and Development (GAD) Plan, and Local Climate Action Plan for 2016; and Draft Ordinance No. 0558 authorizing the annual budget of the city government in the amount of P768 million.
Earlier, Councilor Fernandez told newsmen before regular session on January 5, that they are demanding the restoration of the city council’s proposed budget of P52 million which was trimmed down by the mayor’s office to only P44 million.
Alfie complained that the reduced budget is not enough because of the P44 million allotted, P39 million will go to personnel services which include retirement benefits and only P5 million is left for the whole year expenses of the council.
Reacting to the condition set by Mr. Fernandez, Councilor Seen, chairman on appropriation, said this could have been brought up during the three-day budget hearing which was attended by the minority floor leader. Any upward adjustment was no longer possible since the committee report has already been submitted and approved and no councilor interposed his objection in writing, which is provided for in the house rules.
Councilor Erfe-Mejia had also asked Mr. Seen to inhibit during the deliberation and approval of the budget being the brother-in-law of the mayor, but the latter pointed out he is not engaged in business that would be favored with the approval of the budget, thus there is no need to inhibit himself.
He said he has been chairman on appropriations for three years already and there is no reason that he inhibits himself now. (Leonardo Micua)
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