The Commission on Elections in Manila has estimated the cost of holding a plebiscite for the conversion of Pagla-um Village in Bacolod City into a new barangay, at about P3.3 million to the Bacolod City government.
Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, said they will endorse the matter to the Office of the City Mayor for evaluation since they have to allocate the funds for the project.
Distrito had requested the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Metro Manila Monday for an estimate from the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operation.
He said they will endorse the estimate from the ODEDO to the COMELEC Office in Bacolod, that in turn will make its official endorsement regarding the plebiscite.
Distrito said they had earlier proposed a P5 million budget for the conduct of the plebiscite, but Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he believes that is too much for the city to spend,and therefore requested for an official estimate from the COMELEC Manila.
The expenses will cover a budget of P30 per voter, the overtime pay of Manila and local COMELEC personnel, and the per diems of teachers serving in the plebiscite, he said. Each teacher will receive a per diem of P3,000, and there are about 110 precincts in Bacolod, he added.
Distrito said he is optimistic that the Mayor will find ways to come up with the needed funds.
The COMELEC is willing to conduct the plebiscite as long as the requirements are met and those include a letter from the Mayor, an SP Ordinance and a certification of availability of funds.*CGS back
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