By Paulo Loreto Lim

The proposed P2.25 billion city budget for 2018 was passed by the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) on its first reading earlier this week.

“The budget will prioritize health services, solid waste management, social welfare services, [and] public safety, which includes peace and order, [the] anti-drug campaign and traffic management, economic development and infrastructure, tourism, education, and Bacolod City College,” said City Councilor Caesar Distrito, who chairs the Committee on Appropriations and Finance.

The proposed budget is higher than the prior year’s allotment, which was P2 billion.

According to Distrito, half of the amount is allocated for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), with nearly P630 million for personnel services.

The budget also includes the third disbursement of salary increases from the Salary Standardization Law (SSL)./PLL, WDJ