The P3.250 billion 2023 budget of Bacolod City was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, December 7, Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said.
The budget for Bacolod in 2023 will be the same as what was allotted in 2022 despite a drop in the city’s National Tax Allotment by P302.6 million next year.
The NTA cut will be compensated by an increase in local revenue collections, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said earlier.
The bulk of the budget was allocated for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures at P1.413 billion, or 43.51 percent of the fund, followed by Personal Services at P910.710 million, or 28.02 percent.
Sayson said included in the budget is P50 million for the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program, which could receive additional funds next year if needed.
Also allocated was P70 million for the computerization of city government operations, which is a priority of the mayor, he said.
Computerization will enable the city government to save money, increase efficiency and lessen corruption, Sayson said.
Funds were also allocated for road repairs, drainage and streetlights, he added.
Meanwhile, the mayor is proposing to avail of a P5 billion loan to be used for construction of a new legislative building and the retrofitting of the old city hall, Sayson said.
It is just a proposed figure, it is not final, Sayson added.*