• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod has unanimously approved on second and third reading the city’s P4.75 billion annual budget for the year 2026.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, the chairman of the Committee on Appropriation and Finance, described the final proposed budget as responsive, citing that it covers nearly all the essential requirements of the city.
He said that the departments of Social Services and the City Health Office are set to receive the largest allocations.
The Social Services Sector is earmarked to receive P2.29 billion, accounting for 48 percent of the total budget based on distribution by sector. It will fund health, education, social welfare, and housing initiatives.
Meanwhile, the General Public Services is set to receive 25 percent of the total portion amounting to P1.19 billion.
Sayson stated that there was minor questioning regarding the funds allocated for drainage and disaster preparedness during deliberations, which he said will be sourced from disaster funds.
The approved annual budget increased by P350 million, or 7.96 percent, compared to the P4.4 billion budget in 2025, driven by projected gains in both local and external revenue sources, including the National Tax Allotment.
The next procedural step involves the posting of the budget for 15 days before its official submission in the last week of December to the office of Mayor Greg Gasataya for signing.*
