Health care & services top priority in '07 city budget

Next year's city budget will give top priority to health care, social services and education. In his budget message to the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panglungsud, City Mayor Dan Lim said P52,605,329.00 will be earmarked to this top priority or 15.05% of the total budget. During its session last week, the SP approved for second reading the proposed budget next year amounting to P349,607,728.00. This means that the proposed budget is as good as approved even it is still calendared for third and final reading when the SP meets on January 3 next year. Saying that the budget is defined by its emphasis on increased accessibility to all basic needs and services to meet the requirements of the people, Mayor Lim said this is being matched by identifying bench marks to enhance tax collection. He said a vigorous tax information campaign as part of the intensified tax collection effort will be anchored on these bench marks. For 2007, the city projects a total revenue collection of P293,607,728.00.

INFRA PROJECTS

Considering prevailing realities, the city will pursue infrastructure projects like the Waste Management Plant in Taloto, the road network, the Big Bug, the city hall park and the fleeting of the city PNP. The city is also considering the purchase of a 25-cubic meter cement batching plant at a cost of around P3 million.

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