Higher fuel, electricity and maintenance costs are driving Mandaue City’s proposed P5-billion budget for 2027, a P500-million increase from its P4.5-billion allocation this year.
City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said the proposed increase would cover rising operating expenses and support new programs under Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano’s administration.
Among the planned initiatives are digitalization projects for the City Planning Office and City Engineering Office, as well as the purchase of water tanks and filtration systems in preparation for the possible effects of El Niño.
The proposed budget also includes funding to improve existing services, including the Libreng Sakay program, while education and health remain among the administration’s spending priorities.
Malig-on stressed that the proposed appropriation does not mean the city will spend the entire amount.
“Dili man pasabot nga mao na ang budget, mao gyud na ang gastuon, magdepende man gihapon na sa situation and sa actual nga ma collect,” he said.
He said actual expenditures would depend on the city’s circumstances and its revenue collections throughout the year.
Malig-on added that the local government would continue practicing prudent spending if the City Council approves the proposal. One measure is holding seminars within Mandaue whenever possible to avoid additional costs from sending personnel to venues outside the city.
The proposed budget was referred to the City Council’s Committee on Appropriations for review and recommendation on Monday, Oct. 19.
Councilor Joel Seno, chair of the Committee on Appropriations, Budget and Finance, said the proposal would undergo further scrutiny before the committee submits its recommendation to the City Council.
Based on the city’s 2027 Annual Investment Program, office allocations account for the largest share of the proposed budget at P1.916 billion, or 38 percent. Non-office allocations follow at P1.7 billion, equivalent to 34 percent.
The Gender and Development allocation stands at P686.9 million, or 13.7 percent of the proposed appropriations.
The city has earmarked P352.86 million, or 7 percent, for its 20 percent Development Fund and P250 million, or 5 percent, for the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
Peace and order initiatives will receive P88.45 million, representing 1.7 percent of the proposed budget.
The Real Property Tax Administration Fund has the smallest allocation at P5.74 million, or 0.1 percent.
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