P1.385-B PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

AFTER boycotting the March 12 session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the seven opposition councilors finally endorsed the passage of the 2024 Annual City Budget in the amount of P1.385 billion, surprising the minority councilors and Mayor Belen Fernandez.

Arriving at the session hall together in time for the second roll call, the opposition councilors called for an executive session with the minority councilors in attendance at the SP conference room.

And when the session resumed after two hours, Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia, chair of the committee on finance, budget and appropriation, read another joint written manifestation of the majority that included a motion submitted by his committee dated March 19, 2024 favorably recommending the enactment of Draft Ordinance 0-849 pertaining to the annual budget of the city for year 2024.

Councilor Michael Fernandez, minority floor leader, in a press conference, said he was totally surprised about the gesture of the opposition councilors after coming back to the session a week after some filed privileged leave and others ordinary leave simultaneously, soon after ending their weekly committee hearings.

Asked by newsmen if there was a string attached to the passage of the P1.385 billion annual budget, Fernandez replied there was none.

He said there was no mention of the cases that Vice Mayor Bryan Kua and four other minority councilors that already indicted three of the seven opposition councilors.

Recall that the opposition councilors even ignored the certificate of urgency sent by Mayor Fernandez and instead held weekly hearings that started January 4, 2024.

Recall, too, that during the last and final committee hearing, Councilor Celia Lim indicated she wanted the annual budget passed, except the P200 million scholarship program which she wanted reduced.

However, in the final committee report stated “the scholarship program of the city is considered in full in order to adhere in providing access to higher and quality education”.

The committee also (1) endorsed the grant of increased salary of job order employees from P9,000 monthly to P12,000 monthly; (3) endorsed the additional increase of allowances of volunteer workers; (4), endorsed the increase of salaries for regular employees and separation pay for the retirees; (5) favorably endorsed the appropriations under the Youth and Sports Development Program; (6) endorsed the grant of 1,000 allowance for solo parents pursuant to Local Budget Circular No. 87-2023; (6) Aid to Barangays is also considered and their respective Sangguniang Kabataan shall also receive 10 percent from such aid.

Minority Leader Michael Fernandez said the annual budget was named all the councilors as sponsors. (Leonardo Micua)

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