Makati’s 2020 budget approved without political drama

With Makati Mayor Abby Binay’s allies comprising the majority bloc in the city council, the city’s 2020 budget was quickly approved without any drama.

Binay signed City Ordinance No. 2019-A-110 last week, just hours after councilors passed it on third and final reading.

The P18.047-billion budget was 15 percent bigger than this year’s reenacted budget of P15.69 million. The bulk, 44.7 percent, or P8.07 billion, was allotted for the social development sector with P5.26 billion going to health, P1.43 billion to education and P1.37 billion to social welfare.

“Our overarching goal is to provide citizens with fast and free access to quality health care, education and social services, which are indispensable to their overall development,” Binay said in a statement.

“The prompt approval of the budget has ensured that our beloved Makatizens will continue to receive timely and adequate services from the city in 2020. We are also optimistic about meeting our timelines for the implementation of new and continuing programs and projects,” she added.

In October last year, 12 councilors left Binay’s camp and expressed their support for her brother, Junjun. This resulted in the delayed passage of this year’s budget, which was later declared “inoperative” by the budget department for failing to comply with the law.