The City Mayor's Office will have the biggest increase next year with a budget of P572, 019,511, or an upsurge of P78,768,060 compared to its 2015 budget of P493,251,451.20, Bacolod Councilor Claudio Puentevella said during the first budget hearing yesterday.

This year's proposed 2016 executive budget of P1.8 billion is an increase of P250 million from the 2015 annual budget of P1.55 billion.

Puentevella, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Finance, said the bulk of the increase in the budget will go to the City Engineer's Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Sangguniang Panlungsod, Department of Public Services, City Treasurer's Office, and General Services Office.

The City Mayor's Office special purpose fund has also increased by P80,526,641.76.

The budget of the CEO also increased by P33,823,407 alongside eight of its divisions, followed by the DRRMO - P9, 267,081.

Puentevella said the budget hearing he conducted will help answer certain questions on the increased budget, and hear the recommendations of department heads on their allocations.

He is also confident that the increase will bring more projects and activities to implemented by the local government in 2016.

Executive assistant Mae Cuaycong said the bulk of the amount will go to the salary of job order employees who have been elevated to plantilla casual status due to their good performance.

Also included in the office's priority will be the ongoing Solid Waste Management program, the maintenance of the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, land acquisition for future facilities and relocation sites, various infrastructure projects, emergency cost of living allowance of teachers, monthly allowances of police officers, and the provision for those who are currently taking their master's degree.

The City Health Office meanwhile, requested for additional funds to further aid indigent patients, to repair of the Mental Health Care Center and to procure additional ambulances.

DRRMO head Rufino Alcala said their budget will be used to provide more trainings to the Community Emergency Response Team, prioritize the rehabilitation of creeks and rivers, possible purchase of special heavy equipment and a more organized flood control program.

DPS head Josephus Cerna, meanwhile, suggested an adjustment in their budget for gasoline, and repair and maintenance of their motor vehicles, and to strengthen the information and education campaign of the city to push for segregation at source.

Puentevella said they expect four or five more hearings to be conducted before they will submit the proposed annual budget to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. He is confident that it will be approved by the SP before the year ends, he said.*CGS

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