DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Committee Chairperson on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw press conference on Monday (Aug. 12) that the City Council is set to approve the P1,474,394, 612.98 supplemental budget 1 (SB1).
The said budget is sourced from the City’s accumulated surplus funds and various reversions of appropriations.
“We are now signing our Committee Report on the Supplemental Budget 1,” Dayanghirang updated.
The P1.4 billion SB1 will be appropriated to various programs and projects in the City.
This includes a performance bonus of eligible local government employees amounting to P33M, slated to be given to 2,585 regular employees of the City.
In a letter from the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, the City Government of Davao was found to be eligible to grant the Performance-Based Bonus for Local Government Officials and Employees for the fiscal year 2017.
“The rate will be depending on the performance of every department but I am very sure it will not be less than 50% bonus,” Dayanghirang said.
Other allocations include P3.4 Million for the Alternative Learning System.
“We will provide opportunities for the out of school youth to study under ALS. This will be properly coordinated with the Department of Education,” Dayanghirang said.
Also included is the P70 Million budget for tourism since, according to Dayanghirang, the City is becoming a service and tourism center. The budget, he said, will be used for further promotion of the City’s tourism.
A P160 Million budget is also set aside for the solid waste management, and a P6 Million budget for the deputization of collectors for the quarrying in the City.
Meanwhile, with the proposal to shift to a modernized transport system, the City allocated P100 Million for the interim bus terminal.
“These terminals will be in the North and South areas of the City. I think the Mayor (Sara Duterte) is determined to introduce a new vehicle system in the city,” said Dayanghirang.
Dayanghirang also mentioned that they will appropriate P2. 2 Million for the installation of a new elevator to the Sangguniang Panlungsod building.
Currently, the City operates at an P8.8 Billion annual budget. Dayanghirang said they are expecting it to grow to P9.8 billion in 2020 given the influx of investors in the City.
The proposed SB1 is set to be approved on second reading in the City Council in Tuesday’s (Aug. 13) regular session. (davaotoday.com)
