March 29, 2024

The legislative body has enacted an ordinance appropriating P1.6 million to cover a portion of the city’s annual budget which has been disallowed by the Department of Budget and Management.

In a letter dated March 4, the DBM concluded there are certain appropriated amounts in the approved annual budget intended for nine city projects which are higher than the amounts indicated in the annual investment plan (AIP) for the same purpose.

Under the Budget Operations manual for Local Government Units as prescribed by Republic Act 7160, any amount provided in the approved budget, which is higher than the amount provided in the AIP shall be disallowed in the budget review.

The total amount appropriated for the nine projects in the annual budget is P4,080,000, whereas the total amount indicated in the AIP is P2,345,000.

It was discovered during the city council’s regular session on May 3 that the budget figures for these nine projects indicated in the AIP should have been updated to conform with the figures indicated in the approved annual budget. The clerical mistake has led to the disallowance of the excess amounts.

In a bid to retain the amounts appropriated for these nine projects, the city council approved the ordinance on first reading dispensing with second and third readings.

These nine projects are the installation of jeepney railings and canopy at Igorot Park; construction of a canopy shed of a passageway in between the barangay hall, City Environment and Parks Management Office building, and City Library; improvement of pavement along Dalandan Alley; drainage canal in front of Dona Nicasia L. Puyat Elementary School; construction of a wash area for Day Care pupils at Purok 3, Loakan Liwanag; stairs and pathway galvanized roofing covering at Purok 2, Magsaysay Private Road; construction of Drainage Canal at Purok 4, Outlook Drive; rehabilitation of Drainage Canals at Puroks 2 and 3, Abubo to Canero; and construction of canal and installation of drainage at Gayamdan Village.

City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente said the city government will file a motion for reconsideration.

Aside from the P1.6M excess amount, other appropriations in the annual budget disallowed by DBM are the appropriations of P1,713,000 to cover the hazard pay of various city government personnel; and excess appropriations of P494,266 for the two Medical Officer III positions under the City Health Services Office which were reclassified to two Medical Officer IV positions.

Of the P195M approved as a supplemental budget to cover the city’s Covid-19-related expenses, P107,164,210.76 in the supplemental budget has also been disallowed. – Jordan G. Habbiling