This city is eyeing a budget of PHP10.3 billion for 2020, an increase of over 15 percent from this year’s PHP8.9-billion allocation.

This was bared by City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Finance Committee, who added that part of the increase will come from the city’s PHP4-billion international revenue allotment as well as from savings.

Dayanghirang said they expect the budget to be forwarded to the legislative body by October 15 so that they can start the marathon hearings.

“By the second week of November, we expect to go on 2nd reading and on the third week, for the 3rd and final reading,” he said.

Dayanghirang said they expect a surplus from the 2019 budget although they still are awaiting a supplemental budget to comply with the requirements for the bonuses of city government employees.

He said all funds for the year must be disbursed and all projects must be paid, noting that Mayor Sara Z. Duterte does not allow realignment of funds.

Dayanghirang said the budget could still go up. “There might be surprises anytime because the Supreme Court has ruled that the IRA (internal revenue allotment) should be increased in all local government units,” he said.

He said the SC ruling showed that the national government still owed local government units following a mistake in computations of the national taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs and other revenue-generating agencies.

Dayanghirang said the 2020 budget aims to help address “important concerns affecting the city” such as the burgeoning water requirement, traffic congestion, and programs for health and environment.

He added that the city has lined up big-ticket projects that include bridges, road networks, a flyover, and the development of a central business district and township projects. (PNA)