Mayor Belen vetoes 2 ordinances of majority dads
CITING THE ITEMS INCLUSION IN 2025 BUDGET
TWO ordinances passed by the 7-majority councilors granting additional allowances to policemen assigned at the Dagupan City Police Station and to teaching and non-teaching personnel under the Dagupan City Schools Division were vetoed by Mayor Belen Fernandez, citing unrealistic rates that the city cannot afford.
In her September 25 letter of veto to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Ordinance No. 2295-2024 relating to cops’ allowance – authored by Councilors Redford Erfe-Mejia, Librada Reyna-Macalanda, Alvin Coquia, Marilou Fernandez, Alfie Fernandez, Celia Lim, and Victoria Czarinna Lim-Acosta – she wrote: “I am returning without my approval the Ordinance No. 2295-2024 granting additional allowances to police officers.”
She explained she recognizes the importance of supporting law enforcement officers which is why funding for their allowance has already been included in the 2025 proposed budget.
Ordinance, No. 2296-2024, which sought to double the allowance of public school teachers and non-teaching personnel in the city from P500 monthly to P3,000 quarterly, also authored by the seven councilors, was also vetoed and such an item is already included in the proposed 2025 annual budget allocation reflecting what the city can realistically afford by next year,: P800 monthly, already higher than the current P500 rate, plus another P500 as internet subsidy to be drawn from the Special Education Fund.
She wrote in a separate letter, “while we value our teachers’ contributions immensely, we must remain prudent in ensuring that all budgetary allocations align with our overall fiscal plan for the year.”
The proposed allowances in the vetoed ordinances would create significant financial strain on the city, she said, and would compromise its ability to fund other essential services and basic functions. (Leonardo Micua)
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