Emano seeks ‘ample time’ for 2027 budget deliberations

Councilor Yevonna Yacine B. Emano deemed it necessary for the legislature to undertake thorough scrutiny in the deliberation of Cagayan de Oro City’s 2027 Executive Budget, saying careful review will ensure public funds are allocated judiciously.

“Importante nga hatagan og igong panahon ang pagrepaso ug paghisgot sa budget aron masiguro nga ang matag pondo magamit sa hustong programa ug serbisyo alang sa katawhan,” Emano said during the regular session on Monday.

She cautioned against the marathon budget hearing set for October 15, 2026, covering the city’s General Fund and Special Account for Economic Enterprises and Utilities.

Emano sought clarification on the time allotted for the deliberations and suggested conducting the hearings by department to ensure a more organized review of their respective budget proposals.

Councilor Yan Lam S. Lim responded that department managers had been invited to attend the hearing to answer questions and defend their proposed budgets.

He explained that the duration would depend on the number of questions raised by the councilors and whether further deliberations would be necessary.

Lim also noted that the proposed budget had no increase and expressed his preference to avoid unnecessarily prolonging the process to prevent delays in the city government’s spending.

Emano, however, emphasized that budget deliberations should not be viewed in terms of majority or minority numbers in the plenary but as part of the City Council’s legislative duty to exercise its oversight function over public funds.

“During the deliberation, it’s not about the majority or minority numbers in the plenary. It is about being part of the legislative branch of the city government and doing our part as the keeper of the purse,” she said.

She stressed that the process should also examine the city’s income and how public funds are budgeted.

While acknowledging that department managers would be present to defend their respective budget proposals, Emano asked whether councilors would have sufficient opportunities to raise questions and whether the hearings could be extended if the deliberations could not be completed within the scheduled period.

She recommended October 16 to November 17, as a possible period for budget deliberations. 

The City Council approved the resolution constituting the City Council as the Committee of the Whole to deliberate the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) and the City Executive Budget for 2027. (JAO/SP)