• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez yesterday said he will be submitting to the Sangguniang Panlungsod his budget proposal for 2025, amounting to P4.4 billion, before the October deadline.
Benitez left for Bangkok, Thailand with members of the City Council and department heads for a budget hearing there, while designating Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran as acting Mayor from August 30 to September 2.
The proposed executive budget for 2025 was increased from P4.2 billion to P4.4 billion since they saw additional revenues coming in, during their deliberations, the mayor said.
After submission of the proposed 2025 executive budget, the City Council will be conducting public hearings before approving his request, Benitez said.
A big slice of the budget will go to social services since they have increased their funds for the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP), funeral assistance, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and digitization program, he said.
They have also allocated about P40 million for the establishment of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Department, he added.*