BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved on third and final reading the appropriation ordinance for the P3.250-billion annual budget for 2023 on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the budget for 2023 is at status quo with this year’s budget because of the expected reduction of the national tax allocation (NTA) (formerly known as internal revenue allotment or IRA) share of all local government units.
According to SP committee on finance and appropriation chair, Councilor Taddeus Sayson, the reduction would be P300 million for the city.
“To cover up with the reduction, the mayor issued an executive order to strengthen the collection efficiency of the treasurer’s office, city assessor’s office, land tax division, and the Office of the Building Official,” the councilor said.
The fund for next year’s budget from local sources amounts to P1.39 billion while from the NTA, P1.85 billion.
The annual budget will be distributed to general public services amounting to P1,269,856,198, or 39 percent of the total budget; social services – P1,051,091,867 (32 percent); other services – P673,455,385 (21 percent); and economic services – P255,596,550 (8 percent).
The councilor added that the administration’s priorities include the health sector, through the Bacolod Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP), the City Engineer’s Office for repairs, senior citizens, and the 20 percent development fund, among others./PN
