An Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) decrease of Php23-million share of the city government will likely delay projects on infrastructures and supplementary development programs until President Gloria Arroyo fulfills her promise to affected city mayors she will take measures to replenish the losses.
Mayor Pablo Ortega said that in a meeting with the City Mayors League, the President vowed to refill incurred loses particularly those affected by the decrease, including this city.
Mayor Ortega added that recently, the national government has approved additional component cities thereby distributing the IRA according to their classes.
He added that some were approved despite failure to meet the requirements to become cities.
“There were cities now lacking in land area, population and income which is contrary to the qualifications,” the Mayor explained, “There is even one city which reported that only half of his city has electric power, how can it be qualified?”
This city has a land area of 10, 526 hectares, with 119,322 population. It has a rural land area of 8,038, consisting of 35 out of the 59 barangays, partly producing tobacco as livelihood.
As a consequence, it prompted a group of city councilors, together with the League to present a complaint to PGMA, according to the Mayor.
Mayor Ortega, as an assurance to city residents, informed that he wrote letters to three senators for the funding of some of his initial projects like Senator Francis Pangilinan, who has reportedly asked for the Mayor’s project proposal and breakdown of its costs. Sen. Mar Roxas was reportedly keen on funding one proposed pedestrian overpass.
“This assistance would hopefully help augment the city government’s coffers in its present predicament,” he said.
At present, the Mayor is also awaiting response to a letter he wrote and addressed to Senate Pres. Manuel Villar, also asking for possible project-funding. |
