• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The P3.6 billion budget of the Bacolod City government for 2024 is expected to be approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod before the Christmas break, following the adoption of the report of the SP Committee on Appropriations and Finance this afternoon, Dec. 4.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, in the report, said that his committee conducted public hearings on the proposed 2024 General Fund Budget Oct. 27, Nov. 16, 17, 23, and 24 at the SP Session Hall.
Sayson said that in the first budget hearing, City Budget Officer Maria Imelda Williams said the P3.6 billion proposed budget “enjoys a 17 percent increase from the 2023 budget”.
This year’s budget is P3.250 billion.
Sources of funds include local sources amounting to P1,629,870,000, and P1,970,130,000 from the National Tax Allotment (NTA) share.
The committee report added that, as per Williams, the distribution of the budget according to major expense class includes 44 percent for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures, 26 percent for Personal Services, 11 percent for the 20% Development Fund, 10 percent Special Purpose Appropriation, five percent for Financial Expenses, and four percent for Property, Plant, and Equipment.
“After considering the comments, statements, and sentiments of the different offices of the City of Bacolod, the committee concludes that the proposed 2024 budget…is in order (and) favorably recommends (its) passage…into an appropriation ordinance,” Sayson said in the committee report.
The 2024 Local Expenditure Program was included in the SP agenda this afternoon, but deliberations were postponed for next week to give each councilor more time to scrutinize the budget. | CGC
