SP approves Dagupan City’s P612-M budget for 2013

By Venus H. Sarmiento

Friday 14th of December 2012

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 14 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod here approved on Monday the P612 million city budget for 2013 without any cut after a unanimous approval from the local council members.

After advancing to the second reading, Ordinance No. 0475, which calls for the approval of the coming year’s appropriation, was adopted to third reading right after.

The session was presided by Councilor and SP Presiding Officer Protempore Alfie Fernandez.

Councilor Jesus Canto who heads the committee on appropriations, assured that all of the requirements as requested by the Department of Budget were submitted and that all of the department heads together with the local finance committee had convened and came up with the amount, a statement from the City Information Office said.

The statement further said he guaranteed that the appropriation was made in conformity with the RA 7160 or the Comprehensive Local Government Code’s budgeting limit and that he had conferred with City Treasurer Romelita Alcantara, affirming the said amount is at hand.

In a separate interview, Mayor Benjamin Lim said he was thankful to members of the SP because they heeded the call of the people that they would pass the budget as soon as possible.

“I expected it to be passed this December but I didn’t expect it to be so soon,” he said after the graduation ceremonies for the General First Aid and Life Support Training.

He said that for the first time in three years as mayor, the budget was passed before the December 15 deadline adding that the passage of the budget will be of great help for the people, especially the poor. (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan)