ILOILO City – The city government is eyeing a P2.319-billion budget for 2019, a slight increase from this year’s P2.212-billion budget.
The proposed budget is now with the committee on appropriations in the Sangguniang Panlungsod chaired by Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo for perusal but has yet to be submitted to the council for deliberation.
“I think we will start (the deliberation) on Oct. 8,” Peñaredondo said.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III, in his transmittal message, said more than 56.2 percent of the fund will be sourced from local taxes, equivalent to P1.303 billion; and 43.4 percent from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), worth P1.005 billion.
Some P10 million or four percent is being attributed to the city government’s share in the economic zone.
Espinosa said general services will be given the chunk of the budget at 51.3 percent; social services, 32.2 percent; and economic services, 16.5 percent.
Of the total budget, personnel services get 34.5 percent, equivalent to P799.332 million; Miscellaneous and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), 29.4 percent or P683.10 million; special purpose appropriation, P812.133 million; and capital outlay with only P24 million.
On the other hand, the Local Economic Enterprise Office is targeting a P77.172 million, 2.7 percent higher than this year’s P75.138 million.
“There is only so much we can do for our community in a year but what is important is that our people will be able (to see) tangible changes in our government,” Espinosa said.
Peñaredondo said the budget deliberations would not be affected by the political affiliations of the members of the local council. (PNA/PN)
