• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod City government will ask the Commission on Elections to exempt from the spending ban 40 social welfare and services, as well as housing-related projects, with disbursements of close to P300 million.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod granted Mayor Alfredo Benitez Feb. 5 the authority to request for public spending ban exemption in line with the May 12 national and local elections.
Of the 40 items, eight are housing-related projects, including the titling of various relocation sites, with disbursement of P24.2 million, and construction of public transport terminal worth P15.5 million, both to supposedly start next month until the latter part of 2026.
Of the 32 social welfare and services projects with disbursements of more than P243 million that the city wants Comelec to exempt, P60 million will be for medical and burial assistance, P36 million in solo parent cash subsidy, P32.5 million in social pension, P20 million in scholarship grants;
Another P18 million in food supplies for the city’s Social Development Center, Balay Pasilungan, Home for the Blind, and half-way home, P10 million as financial assistance for livelihood program beneficiaries, and another P10 million for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), among others.
“The public funds released and disbursed by virtue of this request will not be used for any election campaigning and other partisan political activity as defined in the Omnibus Election Code and other related laws,” Benitez stressed.
Under Comelec Resolution 11060, a certificate of exemption is required to implement or continue implementing activities and programs on social welfare and projects while the spending ban is in effect from March 28 to May 11 this year.
A local government unit or national government agency is required to submit a request in order for Comelec to exempt social welfare and services, and housing-related projects from the prohibition on the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds.
Secretary to the mayor, Atty. Marty Go, earlier said the deadline to request for spending ban exemption is on Feb. 11.
Benitez had also said that he does not want vital projects and programs in the city to be left hanging during the election period, hence the request. | CGC
