Garcia instructs examination of DBM-marked budget
Rewritten Article:
Cebu City's Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has initiated a review of the 2025 annual budget approved during his absence, flagged by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 7 for several questionable appropriations amounting to P79.7 million.
The City's Budget Office has endorsed the DBM's report to the City Council, shedding light on discrepancies within the P14.6-billion budget. In an interview, Garcia addressed concerns about the hasty approval process, suggesting Vice Mayor Donaldo "Dondon" Hontiveros could have used more time for review.
"Perhaps the budget was given to Dondon on Friday, rushed without thorough discussion and review. He might have just signed it off on Saturday. A more prudent decision would have been to review the budget over the weekend or wait for my return," Garcia said.
In defense, Hontiveros stated he signed the budget in good faith to ensure continuity of City Government operations. He pointed out that several flagged items originated from the Mayor's Office and were validated during deliberations.
The DBM 7 highlighted issues such as the lack of inclusion in the City's Annual Investment Plan (AIP), non-compliance with budgeting rules, operational inconsistencies, and exceeding allocated amounts. For instance, over P19.7 million was missing from the AIP, including P100,000 under the Civil Security Unit and P10 million for heavy equipment procurement.
Although no formal disallowance has been issued, the flagged items have been deemed inoperative until realignment with the AIP. Among other flagged appropriations are P5.18 million for an accounting system digitalization project and P1 million for the "Operation Tuli" program under the Cebu City Health Department.
The DBM 7 recommended a reevaluation of City's operating expenses, particularly focusing on salaries, plantilla positions, and benefits. Furthermore, some appropriations still referred to implementation schedules from 2024, which may require adjustments.
This flagging highlights the importance of adhering to budgetary regulations and aligning with the AIP, as these discrepancies total more than P79 million[1][2]. Although the scrutiny dampens initial spirits, aligning with guidelines ensures Cebu City's proper financial administration.
- The government agency, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 7, has flagged discrepancies in Cebu City's 2025 annual budget, amounting to P79.7 million.
- Cebu City's Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is initiating a review of the budget due to concerns about hasty approval and questionable appropriations.
- In the general news, Cebu's Vice Mayor Donaldo "Dondon" Hontiveros defended signing the budget in good faith, stating that flagged items originated from the Mayor's Office and were validated during deliberations.
- The policy-and-legislation arena is focusing on the DBM 7's recommendations for a reevaluation of Cebu City's operating expenses, particularly salaries, plantilla positions, and benefits.
- In the politics landscape, the flagged items such as P5.18 million for an accounting system digitalization project and P1 million for the "Operation Tuli" program under the Cebu City Health Department are deemed inoperative until realignment with the City's Annual Investment Plan (AIP).
