P20-M intel fund legal–Rama

MAYOR Michael Rama yesterday defended his proposed P20-million intelligence fund for 2012 saying it was accordance with the law.

A Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) circular allows mayors to use a maximum of 3 percent of their budget as intelligence funds.

Rama said he needed more funds to fully implement programs and projects for the maintenance of the city’s peace and order.

Rama was reacting to the City Council’s questioning during Monday’s budget hearing of the increase of the proposed intelligence funds from P6 million this year to P20 million for next year.

On why the Office of the Mayor has only P1.5 million of the P6 million of this year’s intelligence fund, Rama said yesterday that this was because the peace and order programs weren’t properly implemented.

Cebu City Police Office Chief Ramon Buenafe, for his part, said  the mayor’s proposed intelligence budget would be enough for use of the city’s policemen.

Buenafe said the intelligence fund would be needed to help policemen monitor from time to time any criminal groups in the city.

He said maintaining peace and order in Cebu City being a premier city could help boost the city’s economic progress. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac with a report from Correspondent Chito O. Aragon