Environment gets P4.5M in Mandaue Kathy Navarro Cebu Daily News
November 14, 2006
In the rush to push for more development projects to sustain its industrial hub status, Mandaue City will allocate P4.5 million to improve its environment, according to its proposed annual investment plan (AIP) for 2007.
The projects include the purchase of soil cover for the Umapad dumpsite, costing P600,000.
The dumpsite has been emitting foul-smelling fumes that reach surrounding environs, including the nearby Marcelo Fernan bridge and its parks underneath the central span beside its Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue piers.
It will also allocate P800,000 for the rehabilitation of the water treatment plant and existing equipment of the city’s slaughterhouse in Barangay Labogon.
For P1 million, ripraps will be constructed on the banks of various creeks that cross the city, including Butuanon River, to prevent soil erosion.
The report, however, did not mention if the item “Environment Development Appropriation” would include the long-delayed cleanup of the Butuanon River whose acrid stench has been the source of long-standing complaints by residents living along its banks.
A composting facility is also being put up in Barangay Casili for P500,000.
Construction and repairs of roads and drainage will eat up most of the city government’s P50 million development fund.
The AIP has been approved by the local development committee and is due for discussion in Tuesday’s regular session of the Mandaue City Council.
The 20 percent development fund is taken from the city’s internal revenue allotment (IRA) for 2007.
Mayor Thadeo Ouano had proposed P633 million for next year’s annual budget.
The projects were grouped into four – social development, economic development, environmental development and general development.
Under the economic development, the city plans to spend P11.8 million for the construction and repair of drainage and flood control systems around the city.
It also allocated P7.5 million for the asphalting and maintenance of various city and barangay roads, and P6 million would go to the repair and maintenance of government buildings.
The rest of the economic development will be the construction of government buildings – P5 million; opening of roads – P4.5 million; and P2.3 million for amortization of the loan used in constructing the north bus terminal.
Up to P5.95 million of the development fund will be spent for nutrition, child, women and senior citizens welfare services as well as water and housing programs.
