Rama complains on cuts, says ‘it’s not his budget’

He has yet to receive his official copy of next year’s budget.

But Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama already questioned the City Council’s decision to slice by more than half his proposed P10.8-billion budget for the city.

“Dili man na akong (That’s not my) budget,” Rama said, referring to the P5.2-billion budget that the council passed last Wednesday.

The mayor declined to comment on whether or not he will veto the budget.

Rama said he will first meet with Asst. City Administrator Emma Villarete and City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete to discuss the budget.

He said he wanted to know what items were taken away and what were approved.

Rama blamed the council for refusing to allow Villarete to explain the budget’s revenue sources.

He said he was especially displeased that the council denied the P100-million housing budget for employees.

“I have the liberty within a certain period of time to review the budget.  Signing does not have to be done right away,” the mayor said.

Rama said he presented a big budget to the council because he felt it was what the city needed.

“I don’t believe in passing supplemental appropriations when you can already see what will happen and what the needs are,” he said.

Rama said selling South Road Properties (SRP) lots can cover the revenue sources for his proposed P10-billion budget.

“Why won’t they allow us to sell SRP lots? I want to make an issue out of this.  I wish that (what the council is doing) isn’t economic sabotage,” Rama said.

Rama said the Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC), the SRP’s marketing arm, already identified 12 parcels of land located at the back of the SM development site for disposal.  Each parcel of lot measures 2,400 square meters each.

“We can raise at least P1 billion from SRP lot sales.  That P1 billion we will sell will go to the people in terms of services,” the mayor said.

Rama said the council’s decision was also an expression of lack of trust on the city assessor.

Rama said Fil-Chinese president Felomino Lim said in one gathering that Cebu City deserved a P20-billion budget because of its status as a progressive city capable of raising revenues.

“That is because they listened to the wrong treasurer so they got the wrong information. And they want to award (City Treasurer) Tessie Camarillo?” he said.

Rama sought Camarillo’s replacement after the city treasurer admitted during a council hearing that the city government is hard-pressed to raise revenues to meet the mayor’s original proposed P11.8-billion budget. /Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters