NOT ONLY the opposition councilors delayed the approval of the 2021 Executive Budget, they also “altered, revised and amended” many provisions in the original financial plan of the local government before finally passing it.
Mayor Beng Climaco said the local government submitted the 2021 Executive Budget to the City Council in September, but it was only approved recently.
Climaco said she will have to veto some of the provisions changed by the opposition because it is no longer the original version of the P4.38 billion budget the local government had rigorously planned and intended for next year and primarily aimed at responding to concerns and challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is no longer the budget that we intend for 2021,” she said, adding, “We will also make our own evaluation and review of the budget ordinance if it is balanced as required by Department of Budget and Management. If not, I will veto the measure to comply with the executive budget which was the result of the series of consultations with various stakeholders, department heads and many others.”
The mayor had previously accused opposition council members of politicking in the approval of the budget.
“Let us not mix politics into the discussion of our budget because we are all accountable to the people we serve. Leave politics to the elections in 2022. We must not deprive the people, the senior citizens, the farmers, the fisherfolks, the sick, and the hungry the needed support from the local government,” Climaco said. “All these will have a chain reaction of effects. El pobre y sale afectao amo mismo el maga vivientes del Ciudad quien ta necesita el ayuda del govierno. Let us act now,” she explained.
Two of the councilors - John Dalipe and Crisanto dela Cruz - were former allies of Climaco and won after running under the mayor’s wing, but eventually joined the opposition under Celso Lobregat, who lost to Climaco.
Dalipe’s elder brother Rep. Mannix Dalipe is said to be eyeing the mayoralty race, but is likely to clash with Lobregat, who served as mayor and congressman for many years now. The young Dalipe is reportedly eyeing the congressional seat and may also clash with Lobregat’s younger brother, Jomar, who is rumoured to be interested in running again in the 2022 national elections.
The popular Climaco is now on her third and last term as mayor and is focusing the remaining 17 months in office to continue serving her constituents, especially the poor. She called on her political foes not to exploit the health crisis for their own vested interest.
“It should not in any way be used for political purposes,” she said, adding, “I will end my term as mayor in 17 months. We are focused on our programs and infrastructure projects to finish them on target dates of our remaining months as chief executive of the city. We have to put in place our recovery package as there are immediate needs that we have to respond to heal the sick and feed the hungry.”
As mayor, having experienced two
enormous crises, the 2013 Zamboanga Siege and now the Covid pandemic - Climaco
said: “Love and God’s protection have always been our weapon to overcome what
seemed to be insurmountable challenges and protect the lives of the
Zamboangueños—Christians, Muslims and the Lumad.” (Zamboanga Post)
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