BACOLOD City — The city government is proposing a P5.37-billion budget for 2027, an increase of P670 million from this year’s P4.7-billion spending plan, amid expectations of improved revenue collection.
City Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Appropriations and Finance, described the proposed increase as the largest annual budget hike to date.
“We have the highest increase because of the city’s efficiency in terms of tax collections, among others,” Sayson said.
The proposed annual budget was submitted by the City Mayor’s Office to the City Council last week and will undergo legislative scrutiny before its final approval.
Sayson said his committee would prepare the necessary appropriation ordinance and conduct budget hearings to examine the proposed allocations for various city departments and offices.
The hearings are expected to take place in November, ahead of the target approval of the 2027 budget before the end of the year.
The proposed spending plan is scheduled for first reading during the City Council’s regular session on October 21.
“We will include it on our agenda so we can schedule the hearings in November,” Sayson said.
During the review, councilors will assess the proposed expenditures and determine whether the allocations align with the city’s available financial resources and development priorities.
Bacolod’s revenues primarily come from its National Tax Allotment and locally generated income, including taxes and other collections that fund government operations, infrastructure projects, public services and development programs.
The proposed P5.37-billion budget, however, remains subject to changes following the committee hearings and legislative deliberations.
The City Council is expected to complete the review and approval process before the end of 2026 to ensure the city has an approved annual budget for the next fiscal year./PN
