Cebu City is proposing to set aside P750 million for disaster preparedness and response under its P15-billion budget for 2027, alongside more than P4.49 billion for social services and funding for infrastructure and essential public services.
Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. submitted the proposed annual budget to the City Council through a letter dated Oct. 7, 2026, seeking approval of the city government’s spending plan for the next fiscal year.
General public services account for the largest share at about P7.06 billion, followed by P4.49 billion for social services and P1.09 billion for economic services.
The proposed budget also includes P851.47 million for the Local Development Fund and P750.89 million in aid to city barangays.
The P750-million allocation for calamity reserves falls under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), which supports disaster preparedness and response needs.
In his letter, Archival outlined the administration’s priorities for 2027, including healthcare, housing, education and nutrition, traffic management, climate resilience, flood control, food security and digital governance.
For healthcare, the city plans to complete and upgrade the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), establish dialysis and rehabilitation services, expand mental health programs and improve healthcare management.
The proposed priorities also include strengthening PhilHealth YAKAP Gamot registration and services for senior citizens.
For housing, the city intends to acquire land for socialized housing, implement the national Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program and pursue affordable rental housing.
The city also plans to strengthen flood and erosion control, clear and desilt rivers, improve stormwater and wastewater management, and upgrade equipment used to maintain waterways.
Archival’s letter also identifies the development of strategically located evacuation centers and the installation of renewable energy systems in government facilities and streetlights as priorities.
To address transportation concerns, the proposed plan includes shifting government vehicles to electric and hybrid models, introducing GPS-based fleet management and implementing targeted traffic decongestion measures along N. Bacalso Avenue.
Food security initiatives include affordable rice programs, community rice outlets, demonstration farms, farm-to-market roads and mobile storage facilities to support consumers and local agricultural producers.
The city also intends to connect government departments through digital systems, digitize the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Command Center and upgrade the traffic closed-circuit television system.
The proposed spending plan also includes reopening and enhancing the Cebu City Resource Management and Development Center.
For financing, the city expects P6.66 billion in tax revenue, P3.41 billion from the National Tax Allotment and P3 billion in non-tax revenue.
Other projected sources include P400 million in ecozone shares, P300 million in joint venture shares, P206 million from hospitals and P173.58 million from markets.
The proposed P15-billion spending plan remains subject to review and approval by the City Council.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
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