ILOILO – As the national debate intensifies over the proposed annual executive budget for 2024, a pressing question arises: What amounts have local chief executives (LCEs) in Iloilo province proposed for their confidential funds?
Panay News reached out to several LCEs for insights.
Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville of New Lucena has proposed a modest confidential fund of P23,000 for 2024, identical to this year’s amount, within the town’s P123 million proposed annual budget.
She said, “My confidential fund this year is P23,000, and it has not been used yet.”
Seville is considering reallocating these unused funds to other projects due to the rigorous documentation requirements associated with confidential funds.
The New Lucena town mayor said the delivery of government services would not be affected even without confidential funds, especially the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) campaign against illegal drugs.
New Lucena is a fourth class municipality with 21 barangays.
In Badiangan, Mayor Suzette Mamon revealed her confidential fund for the current year is P300,000, which she plans to maintain for the next year.
Mamon clarified, “For 2024, it’s P300,000, adhering to the 30 percent budget computation as per the guidelines.”
The fund primarily supports anti-drug campaigns and the arrest of criminals, she added.
Badiangan is also a fourth class municipality, composed of 31 barangays.
Mayor Mark Palabrica of Bingawan disclosed a different approach, having not allocated any confidential funds during his tenure.
“To be honest, I have not allocated a confidential fund,” Palabrica told Panay News, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and public awareness of fund utilization.
Bingawan, a recipient of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) and a national awardee in anti-drug efforts, proposes a P112 million budget for 2024.
Bingawan is a fifth class municipality and comprises 14 barangays.
Similarly, Ajuy’s Mayor Jett Rojas, with over 15 years as LCE, has consistently opted out of confidential funds, considering them unnecessary. Instead, the municipal government annually allots P2 million to the Philippine National Police for peace and order initiatives.
“We can deliver our services and maintain peace and order without it,” Rojas commented.
In fact, 98 percent of Ajuy is drug-cleared, he stressed.
Ajuy is a second class municipality, composed of 34 barangays.
These varying stances of LCEs in Iloilo on the utilization of confidential funds reflect diverse strategies in governance and public fund management. From minimal allocations to a complete absence of such funds, each municipality adapts its approach to suit its specific needs and priorities./PN
