In response to Mayor Alfred Romualdez’s call for a special session, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the proposed 2022 People’s Budget for Tacloban City totaling PHP 2,026,234,757.00. The annual budget is focused on balancing the recovery from the pandemic and the resulting stunted economy.

“We prioritized the passage of the People’s Budget for FY 2022, as this is a public interest and there should not be a reason for anyone to hinder its enactment,” addressed by Dr. Elvira Casal, committee chairperson on Finance and Appropriations, believing that the annual expenditure is a product of a tedious process of multiple deliberations from the executive department thru the Local Finance Committee–who took time to craft the cost-effective fiscal plan–to ensure that every peso spent will go to the programs, projects and activities intended for the people.

Contrary to the claim on lack of supporting details, submitted by the executive office last October 15, both committees on finance and appropriations and rules signified during their committee hearing yesterday (October 28) that it has followed the process and was thoroughly reviewed before filing.

“All elements were there like the budget estimate, the sources of income, statutory obligations, the budget allocation for general, social and economic as well as other services and the distribution of expenditure plus expenses,” Casal reiterated to prove that the filed documents at SP were complete.

Meantime, city councilor Atty. Evangeline Esperas, who acted as the presiding officer, shared that aside from the focused flood mitigation programs, the general public service got the lion’s share of the fund which is equivalent to 46%. Due to the Mandanas-Garcia ruling, there will also be a boost in revenue share from the national government next year.

Other members of the Sangguinang Panlungsod present include councilors Aimee Grafil, Leo Bahin, Dalisay Erpe, Brian Granados, and Federation President Thomas John Diaz.

The August Body was not in full attendance inside the session hall in time for the approval of the important piece of legislation for 2022, the committee chair on finance and appropriations said “if only the other members of the SP attended today’s session…they would have realized that the people’s budget reflects all the needed programs for our fellow Tacobanons”.

Meanwhile, with the approval, this will help the city on implementing programs and providing better opportunities, as it seeks to open the economy next year.

C. Merin/CIO