Match my record first, Osmeña dares Rama

Produce first before you demand.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s South District said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama should match his performance in raising revenues for Cebu City to convince the council to approve his P11.8 billion budget next year.

“In my first term as mayor of Cebu City in 1988, our budget was only P140 million but I produced more than a billion pesos in my first year,” Osmeña said.

In his first term, Osmeña said he managed to acquire block 27 of the North Reclamation Area from then Public Estates Authority (PEA), now Philippine Reclamation Authority(PRA).

But Rama said there is no point to compare them as things were different during Osmena’s time as mayor.

“During his time, there was no global crisis or when we were hit by a crisis…I don’t want to ask him what he has done. Please let’s wait until 2013 is over and then judge me after that,” Rama said.

The Cebu City Council will continue to review Rama’s P11.8 billion proposed budget for 2012 today.

Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz said they may call again city treasurer Tessie Camarillo to explain the sources of funds for next year’s budget.

Rama insisted that only Asst. City Treasurer Emma Villarete should speak before the council.

Daluz said the council would be forced to take action if the department heads continue to shun the budget hearings.

He said filing complaints against the department heads would be a last resort.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said the Local Government Code mandates members of the local finance committee (LFC) to assist the council in their budget review.

“But by telling them to walk out from our Nov. 4 budget hearing, he (Rama) deprived his department heads of the chance to speak,” he said.

The City Treasurer’s Office is set to start the planned tax mapping and revalidation of real properties which is expected to raise revenues without increasing tax rates.

“Next year we will be going out on field to check on the businesses and determine if they are paying the appropriate amount of taxes,” she said.

Camarillo said they expect to raise about P386 million from real property taxes next year.

This includes about P38 million in tax delinquencies, which they are yet to collect.  Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters