'Peace talks' at the Capitol as DBM holds meeting with Gov, SP over budget issue
Key players in the Iloilo Provincial Government and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) finally sat down yesterday over the controversial Capitol budget issue.
Behind closed-door and strictly-for-invited-officials only, The News Today (TNT) learned that the meeting began thirty minutes late from the 3:30 p.m. schedule.
Matters discussed were the withdrawal of the "request for augmentation" of Governor Tupas and the highly-controversial Supplemental Budget No.1.
TNT obtained a copy of the notice for "Urgent Meeting" sent out by Vice Governor Suplico as chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.
Uniformed Capitol guards made sure that only those with official invites were allowed entry headed by Governor Niel Tupas Sr. The governor was accompanied by Provincial Legal Officer, Salvador Cabaluna II.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on the other hand was represented by Vice Governor Rolex Suplico. Board Members present were First District Board Members Richard Garin and Mac Napulan, Second District Board Members June Mondejar and Rodolfo "Boy" Cabado, Fourth District Board Member Shalene Hidalgo, Fifth District Board Member Jett Rojas and Ex-Officio Board Member Jeneda Salcedo.
Capitol chiefs present were Budget Officer Elena Lim and Provincial Planning and Development Officer Mario Nillos. While the DBM were led by Directors Alfonso Bedonia Jr. and Nilo Buot.
The meeting was held at the SP's "turf", the session hall, where Capitol employees milled outside in an attempt to get first-hand information on the meeting.
Governor Tupas was asked for his comment on how to resolve the existing dilemna. He replied, "kung ano ang pinakamaayo kag pinakamadasig. (whatever is best and quick)." Someone from the legislative side was quick on saying though, "indi kung ano ang dasig... dapat kung ano ang husto (not what may quick but what is right)."
The Capitol budget has since remained controversial with the Executive and Legislative departments at odds on which "version" to use. Capitol workers of late appealed for DBM intervention and action.
Capitol employees last week circulated a manifesto decrying the current budget impasse that threatens to derail their 10 percent salary increase, mandatory loyalty pay and anniversary bonus, among others.
It was learned that the province's provincial coffers is running out of money as it is still operating under the 2007 budget.
Earlier, Governor Tupas requested for Supplemental Budget No. 1 in the amount of P95,426,237.00 to cover the salary differential of Capitol employees (P37,911,677.75), Iloilo Rehabilitation Center Food Supplies for September – December 2008 (P4,960,000), gasoline, oil and lubricants for Provincial Engineer's Office (P2,500,000), budget for Governor's Office (P26,198,000) and Non-Office budgets, namely, 20% Development Fund and 5% Calamity Fund (P23,856,559.25).