The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Appropriations and Finance recently conducted the first of three hearings regarding the proposed P2.25 billion 2018 city budget.

City Councilor Caesar Distrito, who chairs the committee, noted their priority items include health services, traffic management, funding Bacolod City College (BCC), among other items.

According to a report from the SP, in regards to some of their priority items, the Bacolod City Health Office presented a budget worth over P136 million, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office – over P53 million, and BCC – over P37 million.

“Department heads are required to attend the hearing to defend their budget,” the city councilor added. “An absent department head will automatically not get their appropriation approved.”

The next hearing is scheduled for next week, November 27./PLL, WDJ