The city council, in its Dec. 18 special session, has approved through Ordinance 162, s. 2020 the city government of Baguio’s 2021 executive budget amounting to P1,904,482,458.
Next year’s budget decreased by 15.54 percent from this year’s P2.225 billion budget due to economic slowdown.
Approved through the recommendation of the committee on appropriations and finance (cluster A) and in consonance with the message of Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the budget would be spent for personal services – P860,592,000 (45.19 percent); maintenance and other operating expenses – P726,110,458 (38.13 percent); capital outlay – P21,555,000. (1.13 percent); development fund– P201,000,000 (10.55 percent); CDRRM fund– P95,225,000 (five percent).
Based on the certificate of review and endorsement issued last June 24 by the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Cordillera, the city’s Gender and Development Plan and Budget (GPB) for 2021 has been reviewed and found fully compliant in form and contents with the provisions of Republic Act 9710, of the Magna Carta of Women and Philippine Commission on Women-DILG-Department of Budget and Management-National Economic Development Authority memorandum circulars 2013-01 and 2016-01.
As per the review, the GPB of Baguio is compliant with the required provisions of at least five percent allocation of the LGU’s total annual budget to projects, programs, and activities (PPAs) addressing gender and development issues and all PPAs are responsive to LGU’s gender issues and/or GAD mandate.
The body approved Ordinance 163, s. 2020 for the granting of gratuity pay to the job order and contract of service workers of the city government whose services were engaged in 2019, pursuant to Administrative Order 20, issued last Jan. 10 by the President through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, which authorizes the grant of gratuity pay for 2019 to job order and contract of service workers in the government.
Under the order, a one-time gratuity pay not exceeding P3,000 each, shall be granted to job order or contract of service workers who rendered a total or an aggregate of at least four months of satisfactory performance of services as stipulated in their respective contracts as of Dec. 15, 2019, and whose contracts are still effective as of the same date.
Those who rendered less than four months would be granted on a pro-rate basis. Thus, three months but less than four months – not exceeding P2,000; two months but less than three months – not exceeding P1,500; and less than two months – not exceeding P1,000.
In Resolution 698, s. 2020, the body has authorized Magalong representing the city government to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the National Housing Authority for the implementation of the proposed “Luna Terraces” housing project located at Irisan.
The housing project is part of the city’s resettlement assistance program in line with its roadmap to address the housing needs for its constituents.
The signed MOA shall be submitted to the city council for confirmation.
Meanwhile, the body in Resolution 701, s. 2020, has requested the Local Finance Committee to consider and prepare the supplementary budget for the restoration of the budget allocation to national offices rendering their services in Baguio amounting to P5 million, which under the recently approved 2021 annual budget was temporarily removed and transferred due to budget constraint brought by the pandemic to the City Health Services Office for the additional allowances of the city’s health care workers.
The allocation sought to be restored in the supplemental budget is the financial assistance intended for allowances and benefits of officials in national offices rendering their services in the city which include, the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, the Regional Trial Court, the Office of the Prosecutor, and the Public Attorney’s Office.
Through Resolution 702, s. 2020, the body requested the executive department to consider prioritizing the rationalization plan to all health care workers in Baguio in the supplemental budget, pursuant to Executive Order 366, dated Oct. 4, 2004.
The order issued on May 20, 2005 mandates the rationalization of all government agencies under the executive branch.
Expected to be achieved through the rationalization program are strengthened vital government functions; more resources to fund priority programs and projects of the government; improved and faster service delivery; more satisfied clients of government services; and increased morale among government employees.
April 19, 2024
