The local government unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran is proposing a budget of P1,060,026,232 for 2021,according to the budget message sent by City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II to the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Oct. 16, 2020.
In the same budget message, around 49% or P515,527,957 will be sourced from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) while 51% of the budget or P544,498,275 will come from local sources.
The mayor said in the same letter that the local sources of funds are revenue from taxes amounting to P389.19 million, economic enterprise revenue amounting to P66.9 million, and non-tax revenues totalling P88.4 million.
On the other hand, Councilor Tim Butalid in a telephone interview with The Bohol Tribune on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 said that the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will tackle the proposed budget in the first week of this month, November 2020.
Butalid is the chairman of the committee on appropriations and budget at the SP.
“The following are our priority projects for calendar year 2021, to wit: Infrastructure Projects – Road concreting with drainage, installation of modern street illumination and construction of Legislative Building: Education – Day care operations, College Scholarship Program and Tagbilaran City College operations; Health and Social Welfare Services,” the mayor mentioned in his budget message.
Moreover, the mayor said, “Various health programs and facilities including Covid-19 related expenses, Senior Citizens Program, Persons with Disability Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program and various social welfare programs and facilities.”
The mayor added that the budget will also focus on peace and order monitoring programs with the acquisition of additional closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and support the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
“This budget proposal manifests our utmost determination to achieve the government’s growth targets through investments in priority programs, including infrastructure and social services, while adhering to fiscal sustainability. With the blessings of Almighty God, and with great joy, together, let us go about
our mission in providing the best for our constituents,” the mayor concluded his budget message.
In a separate radio interview over Open Forum program hosted by The Bohol Tribune managing editor Ardy Batoy and Associate Editor Dave Albarado on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, City Budget Officer Marisol Perocho said the city has enough funds to finance the different projects and programs in the city including the health programs for the residents.
She assured the city residents that the city will be able to continue with its programs including infrastructure projects next year.