ILOILO City – The city government has approved a historic P1.4-billion Supplemental Budget No. 1 — the largest in its history — to expand social protection programs, fund barangay-level infrastructure, and cushion residents from the impact of rising fuel prices and inflation.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod greenlit the P1,414,007,192.79 supplemental budget following its urgent endorsement by Mayor Raisa Treñas, signaling an aggressive push by the city government to sustain services and accelerate development for the remainder of 2026.
The fund is sourced primarily from the city’s General Fund amounting to P1.413 billion, along with P566,414 from Local Economic Enterprise savings.
City Budget Officer Viminale Capulso said the unprecedented size of the supplemental budget reflects both strong fiscal performance and the city’s effort to consolidate unused funds over several years.
“Amo na siya kadaku because ang aton declared surplus daku man. Ginpangita gid namon ang tanan nga possible sources — from 2018 up to 2024. Ginpangtipon namon ini,” Capulso said.
She explained that the bulk of the funds came from savings due to lower procurement costs, completed projects with remaining balances, and reverted allocations from projects that were no longer feasible.
“For example, may mga projects nga may allocation pero wala nagasto tanan or nag-iba ang plano. Instead nga magpabilin nga idle, gin-revert naton kag gin-gamit bilang source. Pila na ka tuig ini nga ginpangtipon, amo na nga nagdako gid ang amount,” she added.
Capulso stressed that the budget does not rely on new taxes or borrowings, but rather on accumulated fiscal efficiencies.
“This is a result of disciplined financial management. Indi ini bag-o nga kwarta, kundi ginpangtipon nga savings sang pila ka tuig,” she said.
A significant portion of the supplemental budget is allocated to social protection programs, in response to rising fuel prices and inflation.
“Gin-instruct kami ni Mayor nga pangitaon gid ang pondo para sa social services — fuel subsidy, cash-for-work, kag livelihood assistance—tungod sang aton ginahingadlan nga energy crisis,” Capulso said.
Among the key programs funded are fuel subsidies, particularly for affected sectors, cash-for-work initiatives for displaced or affected workers, and expanded livelihood programs for micro and small enterprises.
The budget also includes medical assistance for indigent residents, school supply distribution for barangay outreach, and funding support for the city’s participation in national events such as the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy.
Allowances for price escalation in infrastructure projects due to rising energy costs were likewise included.
A large portion of the supplemental budget is earmarked for barangay-level infrastructure projects — many of which were newly proposed following consultations initiated by the mayor.
“Naglibot gid si Mayor sa tanan nga barangay kag ginpangayo niya ang ila proposals. Ang iya kondisyon — kun kompleto ang dokumento kag feasible ang project, tagaan gid pondo. Kag ginpanindugan niya ina,” Capulso said.
She noted that these projects are outside the original 2026 Annual Investment Plan but were accommodated to ensure equitable development across all 180 barangays.
“Gusto sang mayor nga tanan nga barangay may mabatyagan nga proyekto halin sa city government. As long as kaya sang pondo, gin-try gid namon i-accommodate halos tanan,” she added.
The supplemental budget will also finance government obligations not covered in the approved 2026 annual budget, which only funded programs until September.
“Ang pondo para sa October tubtob December — diri naton ginbutang sa supplemental budget,” Capulso said.
This includes funding for the third tranche of the Salary Standardization Law, covering October to December, as well as terminal leave benefits and monetization of leave credits of city employees.
However, Capulso clarified that personnel-related expenses comprise only a small portion of the total.
“Mga P22 million lang ang para sa salary increase. Gin-prioritize anay naton ang barangay kag social projects sa annual budget, kag ginbutang ini sa supplemental budget kay sa August pa man ini ma-implement,” she explained.
The passage of the historic supplemental budget underscores the city’s proactive approach to addressing both immediate economic pressures and long-term development needs.
“This is about making sure that services continue, that projects are implemented, and that our people feel the support of the government—especially in times of economic uncertainty,” Capulso said.
She emphasized that the city’s ability to mobilize such a large fund without incurring debt highlights sound fiscal governance.
“Gin-maximize lang naton ang aton resources para masabat ang present needs sang syudad — kag para masiguro nga wala sang may mabilin,” she added./PN
