A provincial official is calling for stricter austerity in government spending, a plea that comes as some Bohol councilors criticize the “exorbitant” fees for a league conference at a high-end resort.
During a budget hearing, Board Member Tomas Abapo urged Capitol department heads to curb expenses by conducting seminars and workshops in provincial facilities instead of costly private venues.
“I urge the departments to be more conservative in spending the people’s money,” said Abapo, a member of the provincial SP’s Committee on Finance, Budget and Appropriations.
He noted a persistent trend across administrations where departments hold trainings in high-class hotels and resorts, incurring huge costs for venue rentals and food.
Using Capitol facilities would lower these costs and help save money for the provincial government, he said.
The call for austerity is heightened as the government faces corruption scandals involving the alleged misuse of flood control project funds.
Marikit Oppus of the Capitol’s Human Resources Management and Development Office supported Abapo’s proposal.
She said departments should fully utilize Capitol facilities but noted that limited capacity sometimes forces them to seek larger, off-site venues.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Bohol chapter is facing internal criticism over the cost of its year-end assessment, held Nov. 27-28 at the Henann Resort in Panglao.
Former PCL president and San Isidro Councilor Gloria Gementiza ignited issues on Nov. 25 about the fees, which were set at P23,000 pesos for single occupancy, P19,000 pesos for twin sharing and P15,000 pesos for triple sharing for the overnight event.
“I am concerned about the price of the accommodations considering the councilors will only stay at the hotel overnight,” Gementiza said.
She compared the fee to the national PCL’s year-end assessment, which she said costs P19,500 pesos per delegate and includes a two-night stay.
Gementiza, who lost her bid for PCL president to Cortes Councilor Joanna Cabalit-Initay, said she suspects “there are changes on how the PCL is being run.”
Despite the criticism, several councilors from Bohol towns attended the conference, which was led by Initay.
Some who initially planned to skip the event changed their minds after the league promised a rebate on the registration fee.
The PCL, composed of councilors from various towns and Tagbilaran City, is scheduled to hold a continuing local legislative education program from Dec. 1 to 3, 2025 in Cebu City.