THE P88 million budget allocation for the livelihood program in Cebu City’s proposed Supplemental Budget 1 (SB1) faces a potential reduction due to the executive department’s failure to adequately explain the program.
Councilor Noel Wenceslao, finance committee chairman, revealed this after the City Council scrutinized the budget during a hearing on Monday, March 17, 2025.
This Monday’s budget hearing marked the third session held after the council returned the initial version of SB1 to the executive department for revisions.
The first hearing occurred on Feb. 21, followed by a continuation on Feb. 25. After the revised budget was resubmitted, the third hearing took place on Monday.
Despite these three hearings, Wenceslao said that no one from the executive department had clarified the specifics of the livelihood programs.
“No one explained the details of the proposed livelihood program. Therefore, I don’t think we can approve it. How can we approve something that hasn’t been explained?” he said.
Wenceslao indicated a “strong possibility” of a budget reduction, as several councilors intend to closely examine the livelihood programs.
Following the budget hearing, finance committee members will review the reports and submit their findings to the council for SB1’s final deliberation.
Wenceslao noted that if the livelihood program’s budget is reduced, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia retains the option to veto the approved budget.
“It’s up to him. He can either approve the final deliberation or veto it,” he said.
The livelihood program was initially proposed with a P100 million allocation, which was subsequently lowered to P88 million.
The road asphalting budget was also reduced from P140 million to P100 million.
These budget reductions were implemented to cover the required P52 million increase in City Hall employees’ Charter Day bonuses.
As previously reported by SunStar Cebu, Garcia initially proposed P25,000 cash incentives for City Hall employees in the proposed SB1 to celebrate the 2025 Charter Day.
However, the council increased the bonuses to P35,000, requiring an additional P52 million from the proposed total SB1 budget of P635 million.
The P635 million SB1 also includes a P210 million allocation for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center’s eighth to 10th floors.
Wenceslao expressed hope that the SB1 would be approved within the month, aligning with Mayor Garcia’s request. (JPS)
