The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has approved the proposed P2.608 billion budget for 2021 of Iloilo City.
After series of committee hearings, city councilor Rommel Duron said the legislative body approved the proposed budget of P2.608 for 2021, which is 3.47 percent lower than this year’s P2.7 billion budget.
Earlier, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas acknowledged the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, to the city’s proposed budget.
“To say that CY 2020 was a financially tough year for the city of Iloilo would be an understatement as going into CY 2021, we are still reeling from effects of the pandemic that has impacted economies worldwide,” read part of Treñas letter to the SP when he submitted the 2021 Executive Budget.
Of the P2.608 billion estimated receipts, P1.3 billion or 52.69 percent is attributed to the city’s local sources while P1.2 billion or 44.66 percent represents city’s share from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).
Meanwhile, P17 million or .65 percent is attributed to the city’s share in the economic zone, with a capital spending of P5,823 for a projected population of 447, 992 inhabitants per 2025 NSO Census.
With the dip in the estimated receipts, Treñas underscored that the city’s aim is to prioritize programs/projects and activities that will facilitate the visions of his administration while observing austerity measures to come up with a balanced budget without necessarily sacrificing the city’s mandate.
Of the proposed budget, the city’s expenditure program for next year by sectors are consist of the following:
* Personal Services – P896, 727, 799
* Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses – P1,003,146,593
* Capital Outlay – P44,530,915
* Special Purpose Appropriation – P664,398,564.
On the other hand, operation of the Local Economic Enterprise will be sourced from estimated receipts of the various city-run public markets and slaughterhouse amounting to P78,818,800 or 2.13 percent higher that this year’s P77,172,543.
Treñas laid down that the city’s 2021 budget also reflects existing plans and programs of the city.
These include the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Comprehensive Development Plan, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, Local Climate Change Action Plan, Iloilo Shelter Plan, Local Development Investment Plan, Peace and Order Plan, Local Health Plan, among others./WDJ