The Baguio City Council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that would allow the barangays to allocate more than one percent of their annual budget for programs, projects, and activities that address the needs of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs).
The proposed measure, authored by Councilor Peter Fianza, seeks to repeal Ordinance 26-2011 or the ordinance provi-ding guidelines for the use of the one percent fund pursuant to Joint Circular 2003-1 of the departments of Budget and Ma-nagement and Social Welfare and Development.
Fianza said the ordinance needs to be repealed due to a change in policy in 2015.
“Instead of setting aside the specified amount, agencies are to mainstream funds even amounting to more than one percent of the agency’s budget to identified programs and projects related to the needs of older persons and PWDs,” Fianza said.
He said since 2015, the General Appropriations Act has constantly welcomed the development, adding Section 36 of the law for the fiscal year 2023 reiterates the directive for all agencies in the government to formulate plans, programs, and projects intended to address the concerns of senior citizens and PWDs.
Fianza said several senior citizen and PWD organizations in many barangays are still referring to Ordinance 26-2011 and are demanding the setting aside of the one percent fund.
He said the repeal of the ordinance will remove the confusion.
The proposed measure has been referred to the council committee on social services, women, and urban poor for review. – Jordan G. Habbiling
