ILOILO City – A P21.3-million cut in the proposed 2027 operating budget of Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda has sparked a dispute with the City Budget Office (CBO), with the vice mayor questioning why programs earlier cleared by the Local Finance Committee (LFC) are now being challenged over their legality and relevance.
The controversy erupted after City Budget Officer Viminale Capulso disclosed that Baronda’s proposed Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of P26.108 million had been slashed to approximately P4.8 million, citing expenditures, limited funds and programs allegedly outside the vice mayor’s legislative mandate.
Among the questioned proposals were P10.25 million for a study on institutionalizing the Libre Sakay program for college students and P2.9 million for a centralized 911 emergency hotline.
Capulso maintained that implementing such programs falls primarily under the local chief executive, while the vice mayor’s functions are largely legislative.
She also questioned funding for the proposed emergency hotline because its enabling ordinance remains pending before the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Baronda, however, challenged the timing and consistency of the budget office’s objections, pointing out that the questioned programs had already undergone technical scrutiny before the LFC, where Capulso herself was present.
The committee subsequently approved a reduced budget proposal, which was incorporated into the city’s Annual Investment Program (AIP) for 2027.
“Kun ang mga proposed programs sang OVM ‘wala naga-angot’ kag ‘medyo tagilid’ gali, ngaa wala ini gin-question ukon gin-disapprove sang technical hearing? Ngaa gin-aprubahan sang Local Finance Committee kag ginlakip pa sa AIP for 2027?” Baronda said.
The vice mayor argued that any legal or technical deficiencies should have been identified and addressed during the technical hearing rather than raised publicly while the budget remains under consideration.
“The City Budget Officer has every right and responsibility to scrutinize proposed appropriations and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. However, such concerns should be raised through the proper channels, supported by clear legal and technical grounds, and addressed at the appropriate stage of the budget process,” she said.
Baronda acknowledged that LFC approval does not guarantee final approval by the City Council but insisted that budget scrutiny must be fair, consistent, professional and transparent.
AIP inclusion no funding guarantee
Responding to Baronda, the CBO clarified that inclusion in the AIP does not automatically entitle a proposed program to funding under the annual budget.
“Indi sa tanan nga oras ang PPAs sa Annual Investment Program (AIP) maponduhan sa Annual Budget,” the office said.
It explained that the AIP identifies proposed programs, projects and activities, while actual appropriations depend on available revenues and government priorities.
Programs without regular budget allocations may still secure alternative financing through loans, donations, national government assistance, public-private partnerships and other funding mechanisms.
Capulso also defended the reductions as part of broader fiscal constraints affecting nearly all city government offices.
She said 67.5 percent of the city’s overall budget is already committed to statutory obligations, leaving only 32.5 percent for allocation among departments and offices.
Previous spending was another consideration. Capulso cited the vice mayor’s 2026 travel allocation of P100,000, of which only P46,000 had been spent as of June.
For 2027, Baronda sought P500,000 for travel expenses, but the CBO proposed only P200,000.
Capulso also invoked a 2023 Department of Budget and Management communication questioning the allocation of development funds to individual councilors for projects outside their legislative functions.
The CBO, meanwhile, assured Baronda that the city’s finance offices remain committed to sound public financial management.
“Rest assured nga ang amon opisina, upod sang Office of the City Treasurer kag Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator naga istoryahanay para makapangita sang paagi nga masiguro nga ang siyudad, upod sang mga barangays, maga-practice sang sound Public Financial Management sang pag preparar kag pag-implement sang aton budget,” it said./PN
