AFTER SEVERE FLOODING IN CITY

MAYOR Belen Fernandez is set to ask the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s seven majority councilors again to pass the long overdue 2023 annual budget of the city.

“It’s about time that they (seven majority councilors) approve the annual budget. Wala nang rason para muling i-delay ito. Nakita nila lahat ang nangyari sa Dagupan,” Fernandez told newsmen in an interview last August 5, while some of its barangays were still under water.

She said City Legal Officer Aurora Valle will send another letter to the SP asking the seven  majority councilors to act on the proposed 2023 annual budget on second reading in their agenda.

“This should not be about politics anymore. This is about helping the people of Dagupan City that are in need,” she intoned as she echoed her belief that there is more chances that  the annual budget could be passed now after the flood that submerged all 31 barangays of the city and brought untold sufferings to the Dagupenos.

She said Senator Imee Marcos was recently in Dagupan to extend help to 2,500 TODA members who could not pursue their livelihood for two weeks due to flooded streets.

She again cited the need of regular city hall employees to receive the third tranche of their salary increase that was included in the annual city budget, the scholarship fund that parents affected by the severe flooding need to support their children’s schooling.

“Ang mga kalsada na dapat nang nagawa. Ang mga drainage system na sana na-ayos na. Lahat sana ay napapakinabangan subalit lahat ay nawala dahil sa hindi pagpasa ng pitong majority councilors ng annual budget,” Fernandez underscored.

She said under reenacted budget of 2022, many of the funds cannot be used for the programs of her administration.

Asked on what she will do if the seven-man majority in the city council will still refuse to approve the annual city budget, Fernandez  said the legal action against the seven councilors is still an option, particularly the filing of cases of dereliction of duty and abuse of authority against them.

However, she still expressed optimism that the seven majority councilors will already pass and approve the annual budget because they have seen the impact of the recent flood on the residents.

She added she is open for another round of discussion with them provided that the “terms are legal.”  (Leonardo Micua)

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