• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Deliberations on Bacolod City’s proposed P5.3-billion budget for 2027 will officially begin on Nov. 11, Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Budget and Finance, said.
Sayson said officials from the City Budget Office, City Treasurer’s Office, and City Accounting Office will attend the first budget hearing to clarify key financial certifications.
“They certified a P650-million increase, the biggest increase in Bacolod’s history. The best performance when I started as an official was a P300-million increase,” he said.
The councilor also noted that he invited Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., who raised concerns regarding interest computations tied to the city’s P4.1-billion loan.
Sayson said the interest figures listed in the annual budget appear high because they consolidate service expenses for both current credit facilities and previous loans during the term of then mayor Evelio Leonardia, rather than reflecting the new loan alone.
While the proceedings are open to the public, Sayson clarified that speaking privileges will be restricted to designated resource personnel to expedite the review.
“I am very confident that I can finish (the budget deliberations) by Dec. 15,” he added.
The city’s 2026 spending program is P4.7-billion. | TMD
