DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2022

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government reminded the Dagupan City government to pass the Appropriations Ordinance of Dagupan City for Fiscal Year 2023, which to date has not been scheduled for a regular session’s agenda although already submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod more than three months ago.

The December 15, 2022 letter of Romary Soriano, DILG operations officer in Dagupan City, addressed to Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, with attention to all SP Members, again reminded  the latter on their need to comply with deadlines “for the timely submissions and enactment of the annual budget”.

The SP, however, has not acted on the equally long-pending proposed Supplemental Budget No. 1 and proposed Annual Investment Program No. 1 and the resolution authorizing Mayor Belen Fernandez to form the City’s Personnel Selection Board to select and evaluate qualifications of candidates to various vacant regular positions in the Dagupan City government.

In an interview, Mayor    Fernandez said her office already submitted the Proposed Annual Budget for 2023, including all its integral plans, and the Proposed Annual Investment Plan for 2023 to the SP on October 12, 2022.

Soriano reminded the SP that per Local Government Code of 1991, the deadline for the submission of documents pertinent to the annual budget was October 16, 2022 while the  deadline for the legislative authorization of the budget is December 31, 2022.

The DILG Director admonished all SP members “to set aside political rivalry, and accordingly… put the welfare of your constituents as your topmost priority.”

In warning the city councilors if they miss the Dec. 31 deadline, Soriano cited DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2022-004 dated January 19, 2022 which states in part (on Page 4): “Hence, the DILG… requires all elective local officials who will fail to submit and/or enact appropriation ordinance within the aforementioned timeline to submit a written explanation under oath cogent explanations, reasons, justifications for the nonfeasance in enacting the annual appropriation ordinance”.

The members of the majority, however, appear unperturbed by the DILG’s reminder and warning given Councilor Celia Lim’s statement that the delay in the passage of 2023 annual budget can be expected since the approval of the 2022 annual budget was approved eight months after it was submitted to the legislative body, and no sanctions were imposed.

Councilor Michael Fernandez, majority floor leader of the past SP, however, clarified that the delay in SP’s approval of the 2022 annual city budget was due to repeated delay in the submission of the Devolution Transition Plan (PTP) and the Indicative Procurement Program (IPP) required by DILG and the Department of Budget and Management, by the office of then Mayor Brian Lim. The DILG  had commented then that  Dagupan City was the only local government in Region 1 that failed to submit its DTP and IPP on time.

Also attached to Soriano’s letter was the November 8, 2022 advisory from DILG Provincial Director Virgilio Sison to all DILG directors in. Pangasinan to closely monitor the timely submission and enactment of the Local Annual Appropriation Ordinance for FY 2023.

Meanwhile, Mayor Fernandez’ December 19, 2022 correspondence to Vice Mayor Kua and members of the SP: “This is a wake-up call for all of us… as officials of the City that time is also of the essence to act for our budget.” (Leonardo Micua)

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