WITH APPROVED P1.3-B BUDGET

MAYOR Belen Fernandez expressed her satisfaction with the approval of Dagupan’s P1.3 billion 2023 annual budget highlighted the importance in realizing essential programs and projects envisioned for the city’s residents with the budget’s approval.

With the approved budget in place, over 2,500 scholars from disadvantaged families in Dagupan can continue their education with the city’s financial support, covering tuition fees and other essential expenses. Additionally, critical flood mitigation projects, as well as the construction and repair of school buildings, gymnasiums, and libraries, can proceed as planned.

Furthermore, employees of the city government can expect to receive their mandated salary increases under the fourth and final tranche, as stipulated by law. Retired employees from 2022 will also receive their terminal pay and other retirement benefits.

The budget’s long overdue approval came on the heels of an intense debate between the Sanggunian Panlungsod’s minority and majority blocs on the budget, and the minority eventually secured it when three of the majority’s members went on leave.

The budget approval follows nearly a year of financial uncertainty for Dagupan, during which the city relied on limited funds carried over from the reenacted 2022 budget.

Mayor Fernandez extended her appreciation to Councilor Michael Fernandez and his four colleagues in the minority for their steadfast support in facilitating the budget’s approval.

Councilors Marcelino Fernandez, Dennis Canto, Jeslito Seen, Joshua Bugayong, and Michael Fernandez in a statement, have described the city’s mood as reminiscent of “Christmas in September.”

Earlier this year, despite exhaustive committee hearings that included department heads and the Mayor herself, the seven-member majority in the Sanggunian declined to pass the annual budget. When the majority eventually did so on March 28, their version of the  approved budget, reduced to P864.91 million, was deemed “inoperable in its entirety by the Department of Budget and Management following a comprehensive review.

Mayor Fernandez expressed her gratitude to the entire Dagupan community, including Archbishop Socrates Villegas, for their unwavering support and prayers, to which she believes, “led to the budget’s approval.”

Despite the timing challenges and election-related restrictions in the final quarter of the year, Mayor Fernandez emphasized that the annual budget’s approval, though delayed, is “preferable to not having one at all.” (Leonardo Micua)

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