BACOLOD City – What’s keeping the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) from approving the city’s 2016 budget? The city council is set to tackle the P1.8-billion proposed budget today. The budget hurdled first reading on Oct. 28, 2015 but got stalled following the suspension of Mayor Monico Puentevella in November. Acting Mayor Greg Gasataya urged the city councilors to set aside politics. To avoid paralysis in city hall operations, Gasataya is pushing for a re-enacted 2015 budget. Councilor Claudio Puentevella, chairperson of the SP committee on finance, held hearings on the proposed budget last year but has yet to submit a report to the SP. The councilor is a son of the suspended mayor. Acting Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran confirmed yesterday that the proposed 2016 budget is in today’s agenda of the SP session. Under Article 415 of the Budget Authorization Process in the Philippines, a re-enacted budget shall take effect if the SP fails to approve the proposed annual general fund 90 days from the beginning of the fiscal year. The law also provides that each member of the city council will not receive remuneration until the budget is approved. The council is not also allowed to tackle anything during its sessions until the budget is approved. “I am trying, as much as I can, to set aside politics and continue to work for the welfare of Bacolod City,” said Gasataya. Of the proposed P1.8-billion budget, P774 million will be for the city’s maintenance and other operating expenses; P549 million for personal services; P270 million for capital outlay; and P162 million for other expenses./PN BY MAE SINGUAY
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