Cebu City’s P15.2 billion AIP leaves out NGOs’ proposals

Cebu City’s P15.2-billion Annual Investment Plan for 2014 was approved yesterday with P600 million earmarked for anti-flood projects and P50 million for the relocation of settlers in danger zones.

The AIP did not carry the P11.27 million worth of projects proposed by nongoverment organizations.

The City Development Council (CDC) only “noted” the project proposals in yesterday’s meeting “with a commitment” from Mayor Michael Rama, the council chairman, that funding would be considered when supplemental budgets are drawn by 2014.

Rama said they had to approve the AIP for submission to the City Council before the October 16 deadline.

The AIP contains priorities and programs on how to spend 20 percent of the city’s Internal Revenue Allotment.

Councilor Margot Osmeña, a CDC member, said the AIP was a “wish list” of the Rama administration and there was no assurance that all items would be carried in the 2014 draft annual budget which Rama will submit to the City Council.

The city’s 2013 budget is only P5.4 billion.

In a press conference, Mayor Rama would not yet say if he would include all items in the 2014 AIP in his 2014 executive budget.

“I still have to go through the (draft) budget. I review it every night,” he said.

Rama said ideally he wanted the 2014 AIP implemented next year to make Cebu City a “paradise.”

Rama presented the city’s Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA), which included P600 million worth of projects for “Project Baha”.

Funding of P34 million was also set aside for the establishment of water catchment basins in government structures among others.

In the AIP, P13.6 billion will be sourced from the general funds and P1.6 billion will be charged to the city’s Local Development Fund (LDF).

The biggest outlays in the 2014 AIP of P4.44 billion are placed under the office of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

The second biggest expenditure of P4.36 billion is under the mayor’s office.

No breakdown was given.

Busay barangay captain Yody Sanchez complained that the lack of a breakdown made it difficult for barangays to determine if projects they proposed are among those to be implemented next year. /Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters with Correspondent Edison A. Delos Angeles