Mandaue City’s P4.5-billion budget for 2026 has been unanimously approved by the City Council. The council opted to maintain the same funding level as this year to ensure a realistic and transparent financial plan.
Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano earlier said the decision to retain the budget ceiling was deliberate.
He noted that city programs and projects were aligned with what the local government can feasibly implement.
Priority allocations for next year will continue to focus on education, health, and social services, particularly for senior citizens.
The budget was approved during the council’s regular session on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Based on the Summary of Appropriations for fiscal year 2026, the P4.5-billion proposed budget will cover the operations of 27 offices.
The City Mayor’s Office is allocated P214.2 million, while the City Vice Mayor’s Office is set to receive P19.1 million.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod and its secretariat have a combined appropriation of P106.3 million.
Financial offices will also receive significant funding, with the City Accountant’s Office allotted P25.5 million; the Budget Office, P21.2 million; the City Treasurer’s Office, P59.8 million; and the Assessor’s Office, P25.9 million.
The City Engineer’s Office is scheduled to receive P126.4 million, while the General Services Office will operate with P213.4 million.
The Housing and Urban Development Office and the Office of the Building Official are allotted P14 million and P15.4 million, respectively.
Meanwhile, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will receive P39.9 million, the Accident Control and Emergency Response Team will get P15.4 million, and the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue is set to receive P35.4 million.
For social services, the City Social Welfare Services Office is allocated P213.4 million.
The Office for Senior Citizens Affairs will receive P8.2 million, and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office P4.9 million.
In the health sector, the City Health Office is allotted P107.1 million, City Nutrition Services P11.9 million, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office P15.6 million.
Other offices also receiving appropriations include the City Veterinary Office with P15 million, the City Agriculture Office with P18 million, and the Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office with P17 million.
The Management Information Systems Office is set to receive P31.1 million. The appropriations cover personnel services, maintenance and operating expenses, and capital outlay across departments.
In an interview on December 2, City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on Jr. welcomed the early passage of the budget. He noted that the administration is pleased with the council’s support.
“Isa siguro ang Mandaue nga nakapasar na sa iyang budget for next year,” Malig-on said.
He recalled that last year’s deliberations were more challenging, with tighter scrutiny over items such as the P16 million allocated for Christmas activities and hams for employees.
Malig-on stressed that while the 2026 budget still underwent proper review, the process was more efficient due to the city government’s transparency under Ouano.
“Wala man pud angay tagoan. Diha man gud na ma-interesado ug dili kaayo transparent,” he said.
“Transparent man ang mayor sa council. Naa’y caucus mao’ng smooth, naa sad budget hearing nga gipatawag, so purya buyag maayo ra ang dagan sa budget process because transparent ang city sa iyang pamaagi,” he added. (VCL)
