P60 million deficit down to P25 million — MBTF
BELT-TIGHTENING POLICY
CITY Mayor Belen Fernandez confirmed that the P60 million deficit left by the past administration was reduced to P25 million after only six months of her administration and can be reduced further with the support of the annual budget.
This fact was one of the topics she shared with the Sangguniang Panlungsod when she addressed the later last February 7 and renewed her call for the passage of the 2023 annual budget and all its integral plans, including the annual investment program for 2023.
The mayor said the reduction was made possible with the issuance of more cash tickets to vendors selling at the various markets in Dagupan and intensified collection of other fees and taxes due the Dagupan City government.
Fernandez said it became necessary for her administration to implement belt tightening policy by paring down expenses in various offices in order to survive the deficit aggravated by the refusal of the majority in the SP to approve the proposed supplemental budget in 2022.
At the same time, Fernandez cited the loss of revenues and opportunities from the use of the public comfort rooms that remain closed because unfinished repairs by the contractor of the past administration have been abandoned.
Meanwhile, she reported the unfinished renovation of the first floor of the Malimgas Public Market continues to create difficulties for stall holders who she said continue to wait for a financial relief from the SP – a resolution that will waive penalties and surcharges for failure to pay rentals on time due to challenges posed by the pandemic.
She said the continued delay in the passage of the annual budget does not allow the city government to continue viable projects left by the past administration, among these is the construction of a new city hall in front of the old city hall, projects to minimize flooding in different barangays, and construction of many school buildings needed to accommodate students and pupils.
Fernandez also asked the SP to pass the resolution creating the Personnel Selection Board to enable the city government to fill 100 regular positions in the plantilla and at the same time expressed concern that retiring city government employees will not be able to receive their full benefits because of inaction on the 2023 budget. (Leonardo Micua)
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