Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia expressed concern that the approved 2025 budget, P14.6 billion, was reduced from his proposed P17.9 billion due to political influence, particularly in light of the upcoming midterm elections. Garcia stated that his initial proposal was comprehensive and balanced, addressing infrastructure, pro-poor programs, and agriculture. Despite the reduction, he expressed gratitude for the allocated funds, acknowledging that the City Council focused primarily on pro-poor programs during budget discussions.
WITH the approved 2025 budget of P14.6 billion, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia expressed concerns that the P3.3 billion reduction from his proposed P17.9 billion budget was influenced by political motivation s.
In a phone interview on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, Garcia described his initial proposal as a comprehensive and balanced budget, carefully crafted to address infrastructure, pro-poor programs and agriculture. “We considered everything. It was all encompassing,” he said.Despite the reduction, Garcia expressed gratitude for the P14.6 billion allocation, stating that it was still a workable budget. “Dili man sad ko maka-blame nila . As I said, it is political season,” he said. He lamented that the City Council appeared to focus primarily on pro-poor programs, particularly dole-outs, with the 2025 midterm elections approaching. He cited that the council had previously approved a P51.4 billion budget for 2023 under former mayor Michael Rama and a P27 billion budget for 2024, while his proposed P17.9 billion budget for 2025 was further reduced to P14.6 billion. “Now, P17.9 billion, which was very realistic already, ilang gi-reduce . Of course, politics play a role in these things,” he added.When asked if a factor in the reduced budget was the division among the council members, Garcia said “definitely.” The council is composed of members from three di erent political parties: Partido Kusug, led by the incumbent mayor; Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan, led by mayoral-aspirant Councilor Nestor Archival; and Partido Barug, led by former mayor Michael RamaGarcia acknowledged that the decision to trim down the proposed budget had some thing to do with the coming elections since the councilors were critical of the dole-out budget allocation.“But I don’t want to put it in a negative light. But of course, it has something to do with elec tions and politics kay mao gyud na ila gitiyabaw , dole-outs, dole-outs,” he added.Garcia said dole-outs from the pro-poor programs would really help constituents, especially those who have not recovered from the pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette.“In fact, you can still see a lot of people who had businesses before but have not recovered up to now. This is supposedly what I wanted with the livelihood pro gram with grants given to struggling Cebu City constituents,” said Garcia in Cebuano.Garcia acknowledged that government dole-outs are still necessary; however, he cautioned against excessive allocations.Dole-out discussionCouncilors James Anthony Cuenco and Rey Gealon scrutinized during the budget hearing on Friday, Dec. 27, the budget cut for pro-poor programs of the ad ministration which would affect over 25,000 people who are left with only Pl.One of the pro-poor pro grams that was slashed to Pl was the P100 million dedicated for economic grants and livelihood programs. Another program affected was a startup initiative for youth graduates aimed at paving their way to employment with a budget of PS million - half of the proposed PlO million.Cuenco stated that pro-poor programs were supposed to help the less fortunate. However, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera defended the reductions, argu ing that there was no longer a need for dole-outs under liveli hood programs as the City is no longer dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic or the aftermath of Ty phoon Odette. She added that in Congress, dole-outs have faced heavy scrutiny due to complaints from taxpayers about prioritizing such programs without adequate returns for their contributions.Pesquera stated that the re aligned budget could be used for crucial infrastructure projects, such as road concreting and re pairs. Councilor Joy Augustus Young emphasized that based on his years of experience, there is no concrete data on the effectiveness of dole-outs. He added that this practice is questionable in an election year due to poten tial abuse. Young suggested re allocating funds to scholarship programs and noted that the proposed budget for dole-outs al ready exceeded Pl billion, cover ing senior citizens, persons with disabilities and single parents.Archival acknowledged the benefits of dole-outs but emphasized they should only be provided if sufficient funds are available. He added that such allocations could be politicized and may not benefit everyone equally.“Hybrid” sessionActing Vice Mayor Nestor Ar chival presided over a “hybrid” special session on Dec. 27, in the absence of Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros. Some councilors at tended in person while others joined via an online Zoom conference. With a vote of eight in favor and seven against, the council approved the 2025 bud get. The funding sources in clude P17.3 billion from the general fund and Pl.9 billion from special accounts.Hontiveros posted on his Facebook page to clarify state ments made in SunStar’s pre vious report regarding his “absence,” stating he was present during budget deliberations.He explained that he as sumed duties as acting mayor since Garcia was on official leave at that time.“To clarify, Vice Mayor Donal do Hontiveros did not participate in the final deliberation and ap proval of the 2025 Budget Ordi nance during the Special Session held on Dec. 27, 2024 because he was serving as acting mayor of Cebu City at that time,” Honti veros stated on his post.
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