Laoag City eyes P600M annual budget for 2015

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Laoag City—The city government here is conducting preliminary hearings for the proposed annual budget next year.

Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas said they have estimated the proposed budget—as culled from preliminary budget submitted by various offices—to be P600 million.

Ms. Fariñas however stressed that the figure is not yet final as they would still need to rationalize the office budget submitted.

The local finance committee is conducting the preliminary budget hearings.

Ms. Fariñas also disclosed that prior to the start of the preliminary budget hearings, she wrote a letter to all department heads to submit budgets that are “doable, feasible and realistic.”

The final budget hearing for this year may also be held within the city. Past final budget hearings were held outside Laoag City to avoid distractions.

Ms. Fariñas reasoned that the fast approaching deadline for the submission of the proposed annual budget as well as the city officials’ need to be in the city as typhoons approach may force them to hold the final budget hearing within the city.

She added that this would also save the city government time and money.

Ms. Fariñas also addressed rumors that her husband, former Laoag Mayor, now Vice Mayor Michael V. Fariñas has meddled with her decision on the venue of the budget hearing. She said Mr. Fariñas has not influenced her decision in the same manner that she didn’t meddle with his decision during his term as mayor.

Meanwhile, the local finance committee has held three hearings with the department heads concerned invited to explain and defend their budget.

However, only departments with a big allocated budgets and those which had a big increase have been invited.

City budget officer Carlina Cumigad said the invitation to department heads to justify their own budget proposals will mean that the final budget hearing would be just for minor tweaks in the proposed budget.

Ms. Cumigad added that the proposed budget for next year still needs a thorough study.

This year, the city has a total annual budget of P423,766,494.19.

The finance committee also divulged that the city’s internal revenue allotment share for next year will increase by P40 million. This year the city’s IRA share is P299 million.

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