• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved on second, third, and final reading, under suspended rules Dec. 4, the P4.75 billion budget of the Bacolod City government for 2026.
Next year’s General Fund Budget is higher by P350 million, or 7.96 percent, from the current appropriation of P4.4 billion. Of the allocation, Р2.57 billion, or 54 percent, is sourced from the National Tax Allotment share of the city, and the remaining Р2.17 billion from local sources.
The 2026 proposed budget was submitted by Mayor Greg Gasataya and approved on first reading by the SP Oct. 15, then underwent eight public hearings, the last of which was Nov. 27, with the report of the Committee on Appropriations and Finance, chaired by Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, adopted in yesterday’s session of the sanggunian.
In his budget message, Gasataya said almost half of next year’s budget, or P2.29 billion, is earmarked for the Social Services sector, including education and manpower development, health services, housing and community projects, and social welfare.
“This underscores our dedication to improving the quality of life of our constituents and addressing the urgent needs of the underprivileged and vulnerable sectors of society,” Gasataya said, adding that key areas to be focused on are health, education, social welfare, and housing and urban development, or services that directly affect the daily lives of every Bacolodnon.”
Sayson said the city earmarked P50 million in social pension of senior citizens, P30 million in burial assistance, P30 million for AICS, or Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, P1.3 million for veterans, P15.5 million for the ladderized assistance to centenarians, and P263 million as donations, among others.
The General Public Services sector is allocated P1.19 billion, or 25 percent of the budget pie. “This sector encompasses the day-to-day expenditures necessary for the continuous operation of our local government,” with the largest expenditure for the salaries and wages of regular, casual, and contractual employees of the city.
The Economic Services sector gets P1.13 billion, or 24 percent of the total annual budget. The allocation will be for communication and transportation facilities, agriculture and natural resources, flood control, trade and industry, power and energy, and tourism.
The remaining P114 million, or three percent of next year’s budget, is allotted for the implementation, enforcement, and evaluation of city government projects, Gasataya had said.
“The 2026 budget shall serve as our roadmap, a clear guide to where the City is headed…and a collective plan for continued progress and advancement of the welfare of Bacolodnons,” he added.
The mayor has vowed to enforce stricter accountability protocols to ensure that all departments maximize the use of public assets, and deliver services within acceptable timelines. “Every peso allocated, every piece of equipment procured, and every supply distributed must be justified through tangible public benefit.”
The city government shall regard the neglect or underutilization of public resources as a serious breach of public trust, warranting appropriate administrative action, Gasataya stressed. “Resources will not be left to deteriorate in storage. They must be deployed, utilized, and translated into genuine service for the people.” | CGC
