The city council approved several significant ordinances and resolutions during its regular sessions on June 6 and 13.
Foremost in the city council’s action was the approval of Resolution 244 s. 2022 approving the first supplemental annual investment program (AIP) for fiscal year 2022 in the amount of P2.3 billion subject to details of each program, project, and activity (PPA).
The city council also approved Resolution 243 s. 2022 amending the city’s 2022 AIP to conform with the review and observations of the Department of Budget and Management-CAR in relation to the 2022 executive budget of the city government.
Among the DBM-CAR reviews and observations adopted through the resolution are:
That there is excess maintenance and other operating expenses appropriations of P43 million under the City Prosecutor’s Office over the amount in the 2022 AIP;
That the appropriations for representation allowances under the Bureau of Fire Protection, Jail Management and Penology- Female and Male Dorms, and the Baguio City Police Office shall be transferred to the proper allotment classification pursuant to Local Budget Circular 98;
That in the implementation of the programs of the Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC), the city shall ensure the inclusion of PPAs to cover the deficiency in the required one percent LCPC budget; and
That the use of the lump-sum appropriations of P45M for the barangay development infrastructure projects is subject to the authorization of the sangguniang panlungsod.
The resolution also states the itemization of the P9,828,259.74 for the LCPC to be submitted to the city council for information and appropriate action.
On June 6, the council passed Ordinance 42 s. 2022 which will institutionalize every last week of October of every year as “Pastoral Appreciation Week” in Baguio, as a way of recognizing the great contributions of local churches in making Baguio as a character city.
To recall, the city government through Resolution 107 s. 2003 pledged its commitment to character, based upon moral standards, as a key towards building the city as a place where families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, business is productive, neighbors care for one another, and citizens are free to make choices for their lives and families.
The same resolution designated the city as a Character City and formally launched a citywide initiative to encourage character building in schools, businesses, churches, media, community groups, and families.
Prior to the approval of the ordinance, the city has designated every last week of October of every year as “Pastoral Care Week”, or “Spiritual Care Week” to recognize spiritual caregivers and their ministry.
In the Philippines, the Pastoral or Spiritual Care Week this year is set on Oct. 23 to 29.
The ordinance states the “Pastoral Appreciation Week” will be included as a regular activity of the city government.
The week of appreciation intends to highlight the impact of the acts of pastoral caring by all religious leaders like priests, reverends, pastors, ministers, evangelists, imams and all other church heads based in Baguio.
The ordinance mandates the creation of a committee to spearhead and coordinate all the activities for the Pastoral Appreciation Week with the city administrator as chairperson. The chair of the city council committee on tourism, special events, parks, and playgrounds will serve as the vice chairperson while the various religious groups will choose a representative that will serve as co-vice chairperson.
Members of the committee are representatives from the Baguio Character Council, City Budget Office, 10 religious groups based in the city and a representative from the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club.
The amount of P100,000 will be appropriated included in the annual budget of the City Administrator’s Office for the purpose of observing the Pastoral Appreciation Week.
April 20, 2024
