For each Cebu City teacher; City says no to proposed P4T allowance

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City's treasurer's and budget offices are opposing the proposed ordinance granting P4,000 monthly allowances to 5,485 public school teachers in the city.

In separate position papers submitted to the City Council, City Treasurer Tessie Camarillo and City Budget Officer Marietta Gumia said there is no current source for the budget.

"This office is not favorable to the granting of additional P4,000 monthly allowances to public school teachers, due to lack of fund source," Camarillo said.

Further, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the granting of monthly allowance to teachers is not his priority.

"It's not my priority. My priority is scholarships for students, not scholarships for teachers," he said.

In order to realize the granting of assistance, Camarillo said the city needs to identify or look for other steady source of revenue to support the budgetary requirements.

As of now, she said this year's P6.1 billion annual budget is relying on income generated from regular sources such as the tax and non-tax revenues and the city's share from the internal revenue allotment.

Camarillo suggested that the City Council should amend the tax code of the city, so they can increase tax rates on businesses in the city.

"One measures perceived to raise revenue is to undertake amendments or revisions on the city's Tax Code/Ordinances with the end of increasing tax rates e.g. Local Business Tax and Real Property Tax, among others. These are now a work in progress at the Treasurer and Assessor's Office, respectively," she said.

Camarillo said the city needs to allocate P263.2 million every year to fund the P4,000 monthly allowance to public school teachers.

Gumia, for her part, said the city government has allocated so much amount under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) which includes all financial assistance for senior citizens, burial assistance, scholarship program, aid to city barangays and subsidy allowances to national government agencies.

Based on this year's budget, the amount allotted for MOOE accounts to 48.36 percent of the total pie; about 23.88 percent for personal services; financial expenses at 18.41 percent, and capital outlay with 9.35 percent.

"The smallest allocation goes to capital outlay which is very necessary in the development of our city," she said.

Gumia said the additional allowance for teachers will form part under the MOOE, stressing that the city is spending more on giving financial assistance other than implementing programs and projects of the city.

"This office opines that our finances (are) not sufficient enough to meet all the needs. Therefore, it is unfavorable for the city to grant additional allowances to public school teachers," she said. (FREEMAN)