BAGUIO CITY – The local legislative body approved the proposed P2.056 billion annual budget of the local government this year ensuring the implementation of additional priority development projects and the grant of the third tranche of the salary standardization for government officials and employees.
Of the said amount, the local government will spend P673.43 million for personal services, P658.22 million for the city’s maintenance and other operating expenditures, P236.2 million set aside for capital outlay, P91.3 million for the city disaster risk reduction and maintenance fund and P397.3 million allocated for the implementation of local development projects, programs and activities.
The sources of revenue to support the city’s 2018 budget include the beginning balance amounting to P230 million, tax revenue – P562.2 million, non-tax revenue – P294.9 million, and internal resource – P969.4 million.
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan pointed out that the proposed annual budget is spread across 3 major sectors, namely, economic, general and social services, allocated to the implementing departments.
The highlights of the budget include the estimated income for real property tax which increased to P217 from last year’s P100 million due to the anticipated approval of the long overdue revised schedule of market values of real properties in the city and that the increment will be allocated to the proposed 20 percent development fund to augment the funding requirements for the various projects included in the list.
Another important highlight of the budget is the implementation of the third tranche of the salary standardization for government officials and employees with some organizational changes made to provide for mandatory positions prescribed by law and ordinances such as the provisions for disability affairs office personnel and adjustments were made to reflect the proper salary grades of confidential staff at the local legislative body.
The budget also provides for the operational requirements of the different offices which was kept to the minimum in keeping with the principle of prudent spending.
Further, capital improvements proposed by various departments have been prioritized such as the improvement of the Baguio Botanical Garden facilities; improvement of walkways at the city cemetery and construction of buildings for the engineering office, police station and school buidling at Bakakeng, and technical, scientific and sports equipment for the use of various schools were funded to cope with the demand of the K12 curriculum.
Moreover, to increase productive capacity of the city when it comes to response and rescue activities, purchases for ambulance, fire truck, road roller, backhoe dump trucks and service vehicle for field personnel were budgeted.
In line with the Duterte administration’s build, build, build infrastructure program to spur economic development in the country, Domogan underscored the city’s 2018 budget also contains appropriations for expected high impact projects with an increase of 97 percent allocation for development funds compared to this year.
By Dexter A. See
