committee report no. 17-064 -...

MADAM PRESIDENT:

Respectfully submitted:

City Councilor and Chairperson

/cbag/Finance1107&0813Committee HearingPart1.Doc

SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSODGENERAL SANTOS CITY

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 17-064

Submitted by the COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ECONOMIC

ENTERPRISE

Re: SPPR NO. 2013-0946 and SPPR NO. 2013-9452

RECOMMENDING APPROVAL FOR ITEMS 1 and 2

2. SPPR NO. 2013-9452-RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE

CITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AS THE EXECUTIVE

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY FROM

2014-2016 (HON. FRANKLIN M. GACAL,JR.-SPONSOR;

HON. RAMON R. MELLIZA-CO-SPONSOR)

APPROVED ON COMMITTEE LEVEL, FOR 2ND

READING ON NOVEMBER 12, 2013

TITLE

1. SPPR NO. 2013-0946-RESOLUTION APPROVING THE

2014 ANNUAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AIP) OF THE

CITY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL SANTOS (HON.

FRANKLIN M. GACAL, JR.-SPONSOR; HON. RAMON R.

MELLIZA-CO-SPONSOR)

APPROVED ON COMMITTEE LEVEL, FOR 2ND

READING ON NOVEMBER 12, 2013

has considered the same and has the honor to report them back to the August Body with the foregoing

recommendations.

ATTY. FRANKLIN M. GACAL, JR.

RECOMMENDATION

Date of Hearing: November 7 & 8, 2013

SEVENTEENTH SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD )

19TH

Regular Session )

Principal Sponsor: City Councilor Franklin M. Gacal, Jr.

The Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Economic Enterprise, to which was

referred the following resolutions:

Commitee on Finance, Ways and Means, Appropriations Econ. Enterprise Dated Nov. 7-8, 2013 1

Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, Appropriations and Economic Enterprises dated November 7-8, 2013 Page 1

l

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS OF THE

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE OF THE 17TH SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

November 7-8, 2013, Thursday-Friday City City Councilor s’ Lounge (Nov.7)

Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall (Nov. 8) Second Floor, Legislative Building

City Hall Drive, City of General Santos

MEMBERS/CITY COUNCILOR S PRESENT: City City Councilor Franklin M. Gacal, Jr.

(Chairperson), City City Councilor Ramon R. Melliza (Vice-Chairperson), City City Councilor

Shandee Theresa O. Llido-Pestaño (Member)

GUESTS/RESOURCE PERSONS: Please refer to the attendance sheet.

AGENDA:

1. SPPR NO. 2013-0946: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2014 ANNUAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AIP) OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY. (Hon. Franklin M. Gacal, Jr. – Sponsor; Hon. Ramon R. Melliza – Co-sponsor)

2. SPPR NO. 2013-9452: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AS THE EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY FOR 2014-2016. (Hon. Franklin M. Gacal, Jr. – Sponsor; Hon. Ramon R. Melliza – Co-sponsor)

The chairperson, City Councilor Franklin M. Gacal, Jr., called the committee hearing to

order at 1:40 p.m. The Annual Investment Plan of the Good Governance cluster was first

tackled, composed of the City Mayor’s Office, Vice Mayor’s Office, Sangguniang Panlungsod, SP

Secretariat, City Administrator’s Office, General Services Office, Audit, City Treasurer’s Office,

City Legal Office, CPDO, HRMDO, and the infrastructure proposals.

Atty. Arnel Zapatos, City Administrator, suggested that the concerned individual

members of the Governance Cluster may answer the questions directed to their respective

offices.

Ms. Bautista of the City Planning and Development Office presented to the body the

summary of the Good Governance AIP areas of services which include customer service,

development planning, human resource, local legislation, participation and transparency. They

have a total of 113 projects amounting to P523 Million which is 21% of the total AIP cost of

P2.48 Billion.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

GENERAL SANTOS CITY


The chair raised a question if the city has addressed the concerns pertaining to Anti-Red

Tape Act compliance considering the concern of the constituents on the difficulty in securing

permits. Ms. Eturma of the Human Resource Management and Development Office stated that

such concern is under the customer service but in other clusters, it is under the office

administration that addresses the management and administration of the department’s PPAs

and personnel.

Under the HRMDO program, Ms. Eturma said, is the sustenance of organization

development and quality management system (QMS) establishment wherein their first target as

approved already by the City Mayor is to ISO certify the permits process which includes other

departments’ processes involved in the three major processes, such as investment promotion

and generation, business permit, and building permit issuance. Their performance indicator is

that 100% of the employees involved in the process for QMS establishment are trained on QMS

principles, concepts, tools, methodologies, and audit procedures; and the other departments

should also target the same.

Insofar as specific compliance of the ARTA is concerned, it was further clarified by Atty.

Zapatos that before they came in, already posted among the offices the compliance of ARTA

after undergoing workshop with the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Civil

Service Commission on how to comply insofar as transactions are concerned. As to the specific

program of the new administration relative to the ARTA specifically on business, building

permits, licenses, the city at this time is bidding out the systems as there is no linkage yet

among offices.

Concerning budget, Atty. Zapatos supported the explanation of the HRMDO that the

same was embedded in each of the offices concerned. As to the incoming programs, all

departments are already doing the strategic performance management system which will be

utilized by all departments for purposes of targeting vis-à-vis budget in January in compliance

of the ARTA. Ms. Eturma added that there was already compliance as to the CitiCen’s Charter

publication that was updated every now and then and submitted to the CSC and DILG.

In line with the “Daan Tuwid” of Pres. Aquino, the chair believed that one office that will

be under scrutiny is the Bids and Awards Committee, so he inquired as to the changes that the

present administration has done if ever. Atty. Zapatos informed that in terms of policy, they

have already institutionalized before the BAC the “steroid mode” because the past

administrations actually followed the law intoto which actually requires 60 days of bidding

process but this present administration is implementing 48 days for goods and services. Insofar

as infrastructure, they have referred this matter to the Commission on Audit; but there was no

response yet as to whether or not the city can really do away with the passing of the work

programs before the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Insofar as hospital is concerned, they separated the treatment of the hospital inasmuch

as it is under audit as well as the City Health. In fact, the Mayor had intimated already that by

January, there will be no cash advances allowed to the hospital. So, for the first time, the BAC

is experiencing time and motion study relative to medicine procurement because before, it was

done through petty cash advancement.

When asked about the members of the Bids and Awards Committee, Atty. Zapatos

informed that Mr. Quimosing is still the Chairperson but as of this time he is technically on

absence and Engineer Reyes as the Vice-Chair is doing the job, together with him and Atty.

Clarin as part of the members. The city’s BAC has only five members and as required by law, it

should have 5 to 7 members excluding the end user, COA and a representative from the NGO.

He added that another policy change is that the General Services Office at this time is placed in


the BAC Secretariat so that all the papers for BAC purposes will now be evaluated in one office

for fast processing. Insofar as evaluation is concerned for purposes of procurement, they have

not yet evaluated its effect.

On the chair’s query as to the manner of invitation for bids, Atty. Zapatos disclosed that

it is through PhilGeps as their initial advertisement and a regular publication when the bidding

process already starts. Ms. Betaizar, one of TWG members of BAC, added that all bids are

actually published in the city’s official website in addition to PhilGeps in compliance with the full

disclosure policy of DILG.

After some discussion, the chair manifested his concern on the budget for peace and

order especially that the barangay tanods and civilian volunteers will be activated. He was

emphasizing it before the body because the members of the Council will be inserting certain

projects in the 2014 Annual Budget that will definitely change the amount of the budget. He

also raised the possibility of increasing the budget appropriation of P1.3 Billion as certified by

the City Treasurer.

With this, Atty. Zapatos said they can always sit down together with the City Mayor, City

Budget Officer and the City Treasurer so they will be able to insert some items in the Annual

Budget or include the same instead in the Supplemental Budget. He further informed that the

2014 AIP was anchored in the previous approved AIP that was revised because of the

Executive-Legislative Agenda.

Engr. Cruspero stated that if there is anything not found in the AIP, they have to inform

the City Administrator for adoption in the CDC level and for amendment purposes before it can

be funded in the budget.

Ensuing further deliberations, Atty. Zapatos informed that he will be attending several

meetings tomorrow with the telecommunication companies because the city will be adopting

727 as the local emergency hotline via Bayantel, but the city will have the SMS counterpart

which will be supported by PLDT-SMART in which the city was already enrolled in their

information board. He will be meeting them in Davao tomorrow because of another program

called Project Noah which is actually in effect in Bohol and they wanted to add it in the city’s

Corporate Social Responsibility which seems positive. The IEC will start when the budget is

already ready. Further explanations were given as to this project.

After the chair acknowledged City Councilor Melliza and City Councilor Llido, the chair

said he is not expecting so much objection from the City Council as he presumed that all their

concerns during the briefing were well addressed in the AIP except the concern of City

Councilor Nunez regarding the proposed new section under the Muslim Affairs Office.

According to Atty. Zapatos, the same will be proposed for next year, and the same should be

noted for reference purposes.

The chair will be submitting the amendments of AIP after the caucus meeting for

certification of the City Treasurer. He added that he will be passing an ordinance for the

Muslim Cemetery. He thereupon declared the hearing on recess and to resume tomorrow

morning.

RECESS: 3:15 P.M.

RESUMED: November 08, 2013 @10:10 A.M.


City Councilor Franklin M. Gacal, Jr. called for the resumption of the committee hearing

on Finance to tackle the Office of the City Agriculturist with the department head, Ms. Melinda

Donasco.

City Councilor Gacal then inquired from the department head on how to realize the

dream of the department and how is the communication between the Office of the City

Agriculturist and the Department of Agriculture.

In response, Ms. Donasco disclosed that so far they’ve a good communication with the

DA. For this year, Gensan got around P65M for the farm to market roads, techno demo for

rice and corn, and for highland crops. Out of the P65M, P15M of which is the city’s counterpart

because it is the policy of the DA that every project granted to an LGU, there should be a

corresponding counterpart in which part of the P65M was already implemented . Some are still

ongoing projects.

As to how much is the budget for the entire Region XII, Ms. Donasco said it is P1.2B.

Hon. Gacal remarked that the money of the Region is 1.2B, but the city got only P45M which is

not even 1% of the regional budget. He suggested that they have to request more projects

from the DA because the most funded department is the DA.

In response to the inquiry of the chair as to the total area of agricultural land in Gensan,

Ms. Donasco stated it is 22,000 hectares which is almost 50% of the total land area of Gensan

which is 53,000 hectares.

City Councilor Gacal remembered that during his visit in Barangay Sinawal, he saw a

building which accordingly is a house for the “batang tun-og.” Ms. Donasco clarified that said

building is owned by the DSWDO which she believed that it is still under construction. She

furthered that the area is 8 hectares and 4 hectares of which is for the demo farm, 2 hectares

for the DSWDO, and the other 2 hectares is allocated to a certain office.

Moreover, he observed that the projects are all infra related. Along this line, he inquired

as to whether there is a project to level up the condition of the poor farmers because in other

countries, farmers are very rich like Jimmy Carter unlike in the Philippines that it’s an irony. So,

there might be something wrong he remarked because only the contractor can benefit.

Ms. Donasco informed that there are farmers association groups that are proposing

projects to the DA, and they are helping in facilitating the same. Another proposal of the

farmers is for them to have a food package technology, but the LGU cannot provide. City

Councilor Gacal clarified this is precisely the reason why they have to make use of the 1.2B

budget of the DA in which Ms. Donasco said they will be making additional proposals.

City Councilor Gacal, however, commented that if they are going to make request at

this point in time, it might be too late because the national budget for 2014 was already

approved in Congress of which budget was based to what was submitted by the regional

director as based on what was submitted by the LGU. If they will only propose now, there will

be no more slot for the city.

Ms. Donasco explained how the regional budget is being allocated to the LGU. In fact,

she said it is a requirement that in every program from the DA, there must be a counterpart.

For 2014, they have the post harvest facilities; the corn sheller, corn mill, and corncob drier. For

corncob drier, there is a corresponding counterpart which is a building; for the corn sheller, the

counterpart are building and “trapal”.

When City Councilor Gacal further asked if there are programs for high value crops for

this year, Ms. Donasco informed that they have coffee, cacao, and garlic. As to the suggestion


of City Councilor Gacal to coordinate with Nestle, Ms. Donasco said Nestle only extends free

training so they really have to buy seedlings.

The total proposal for 2014 of the Office of the City Agriculturist would total to around

P76 Million . With this, City Councilor Gacal suggestively remarked that the City Agriculturist

Office should make more proposals to the Department of Agriculture for the next coming years.

Concerning the swine industry, Ms. Donasco said it is under the City Veterinary Office.

There being no further inquiry, the chair ruled to discuss the City Economic Management

Development Office.

CEMCDO

The proposed budget for this office which covers 3 divisions including the festivals is P28

Million .

When City Councilor Gacal sought clarification concerning the issue that the municipality

of Kabacan and Cotabato City have more tourist visits than Gensan, Ms. Boguis candidly said

she doesn’t understand how other cities/municipalities monitor their tourists’ arrival because

they can’t even identify if a person coming in is a tourist or not. But the definition of the DOT

she said for tourists are those people coming in to the city and staying at least one night in a

hotel and spending something for whatever. But what they are getting is the arrival of

passengers, and they are trying to classify it. She can’t imagine how the provinces are doing it.

But in this city, they monitor the occupancy of the hotel as to number of guests; however, she

could not ascertain but she presumed they are truthful in the giving of figures as contained in a

duly signed report submitted to the CEMCDO.

As to the number of tourists in 2012, Ms. Boguis could not give the exact figure because

it’s very difficult she said to determine because not all arrivals are tourists, but she was certain

that it is over 200,000. Nonetheless, she is planning to segregate the data as the only basis

are the arrival and hotel occupancy. As to the number of flights, there are 16 flights a day. The

highest tourist arrival is during summer and Tuna Festival. She also informed that during the

last tourism summit, the region came up with a branding of the entire region because they are

not only talking of what Gensan have but includes those of the neighboring cities and provinces

as Gensan is the entry and exit point. Based on the data, the tourist attraction in Gensan are

the fish port and the house of PACMAN.

Basically, they have the impression that people come to Gensan not really to tour or see

a tourist spot, but they come for business and pleasure.

Ensuing further deliberations, City Councilor Gacal raised a query regarding coops

wherein Ms. Meriam Boguis stated that the total figure of cooperatives which are active is over

200. She said right now they tie up with the Central Bank of the Philippines and several other

banks . They implemented a program called CSF where there were 17 coops that participated.

The counterpart of both the city and the banks to the cooperative is 200% .

Mr. Lacap stated that he is concerned on the CSF implementation. General Santos City

Credit Security Fund (GSCCSF) is an accumulated contributions from the different member

cooperatives. DBP, Land Bank, Industrial Guaranteed Loan Fund, and the City of General

Santos have contributed to more than P12 Million . But in the conference of Region XI and XII

on CSF which was held in the Central Bank, the city’s CSF was remarkably not good. In July

2012, when entered into MOA among these cooperatives and financial institutions, no single

application for loans had a Certificate of Coverage issued by the General Santos City Credit


Security Fund. The P12 Million fund was never used in which he did not know the reason

why. However, Ms. Boguis stated that the issue is more on the banks of which the procedure

was very rigid. As agreed, they are supposed to liberalize the procedure but until now not

observed. In addition, Mr. Lacap said in their meeting last month, it was considered by the

banks that they will have a standard requirement for all the CSF just to expedite the process.

Upon arrival of City Councilor Shandee Theresa O. Llido-Pestaño, the chair apprised her

that they were discussing CEMCDO regarding the funding coming from the Department of

Tourism.

Thereafter, Ms. Boguis responded to the query of the chair that in 2014, they will be

having the Ecozone Development and the Food terminal that they have started. She said they

could get funds from the Department of Agriculture as a counterpart for the conduct of a

feasibility study. It will be more on Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach.

For the location of the food terminal,Ms. Boguis informed that she discussed this

matter with the city mayor together with Atty. Zapatos. She presented their initial negotiation

with the Alcantaras , but according to Atty. Zapatos he will consult the city legal officer about

this matter.

CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

As to the computerization, Mr. Lacap stated that there is a budget already approved by

the Sangguniang Panlungsod in the amount of P33 Million and the P33 Million should link City

Assessor’s Office, Treasurer, Accounting, Budget, the Business and the Economic Enterprises.

The budget is still existing and the implementation is ongoing. There were biddings that were

conducted by the BAC.

Ms. Espinosa stated as to the status now of the computerization, the recommendation

of award by a certain bidder was disapproved by the then Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio. In

answer to the query of the chair, Ms. Espinosa stated that the end user as of now is the ICT

Division of the City Mayor’s Office. It will be the one to propose for the procurement.

As to the follow up of the procurement, Mr. Lacap explained that there was an ICT

recently created. He said that they have been talking with the ICT Division and currently

preparing the database and accordingly have started encoding this database for

computerization. The chair stated that as far as the general revision is concerned, it’s for first

reading.

OFFICE OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL

In the AIP, the amount is P11 Million ; but in their annual budget it’s P14 Million . There

was a difference of P2,379, 414.00. In the AIP, there was no Capital Outlay; and they

proposed P1,812,000.00 for the procurement of 5-motorcycles and 2 – four wheel vehicles.

She said that they are borrowing vehicle from the GSO and Engineering Office.

Engr. Paches proposed for the following amendments:

Personal Services P8,513,367.20

MOOE P3,932,494.15

Capital Outlay P1,812,000.00


On the concern of the chair as to why there are more than 1,000 establishments who

don’t have occupancy permit, Engr. Paches informed that they were already given notices by

Atty. Clarin and likewise those who were found committing illegal construction and for other

violations. She furthered that their office issued notices for illegal construction against Hyper

Market which has no building permit. This was already forwarded to the City Legal Office for

case filing. The City Planning has also issued an order of payment penalizing Hyper Market in

the amount of P700,000.00.

Engr. Paches explained that concerning the issue on SM, the case was already filed. The

pertinent papers are already in their office and the evaluation continued accordingly while the

construction halted because they have no electric connection. Based on the Building Code, the

surcharge for constructing without building permit is 100% of the building fee subject to the

final assessment of the building evaluator. There are different aspects that need to be

evaluated like mechanical, land use or land prep. And there are 16 regular employees under

OBO and 7 of which are evaluators covering various fields of engineering components

(mechanical, electrical, electronics) and 17 Job Order staff.

Mr. Lacap also heard that the company is willing to pay all fines and penalties. Going

back to the topic concerning capital outlay, he informed that during review of proposed budget

in the Local Finance Board, they just considered the figure; but they left it to discretion of the

Local Chief Executive.

City Councilor Gacal noted the request for the amendment of the proposed OBO

building for the inclusion in the AIP since it was already included in the previous annual budget.

Recess @ 12:17 P.M.

Resumed @ 1:38 P.M.

CITY ENGINEER’S OFFICE

Ms. Bautista informed that in the CEO, the infra proposals are separate like the health

centers; but it is under livability cluster while the roads had been under competitiveness cluster.

City Councilor Gacal noted that the total of 20% LDF is P192,432,328.68 Million .

In answer to the queries of the chair, Engr. Provido explained that there are 9 dump

trucks (4 new Hino, 4 Daewoo and 1 Isuzu). The request of three (3) additional dump trucks is

in line with the intention of the City Mayor to have the clustering of barangays. Since there are

four (4) clusters so one cluster is supposed to have one set of equipment (4 dump trucks, 1

pay loader, 1 grader, 1 compactor and other equipments like bulldozer) for the maintenance of

city and barangay roads.

The budget of P52, 764,710.00 Million for electrification–installation of streetlights is the

city’s proposal which is separate from the ongoing that were purchased by the DPWH. With the

said budget, the expected street lights are 1,008 units. As of now, there are 6,000 existing

streetlights there and the TWG is undergoing a study to determine the number of units required

in each barangay. The proposed streetlights are already LED instead of the sodium because of

its carbon’s effect to the environment such that 120 watts for main highway, 100 watts for main

road/city streets, 75 watts for secondary roads.

City Councilor Gacal informed that the main concern for now is to have well-lighted city

because of the complaints of the general public about dark streets.


Engr. Provido said there was an instruction from the City Mayor to estimate the number

of post needed to transfer all LED streetlights to be put up by the DPWH later on which is

already for bidding. For this year, there is no budget for streetlights but actually the proposal

for streetlights is P105 Million ; but after the election, the P50 Million was reverted to other

purposes, and the P55 Million coming from National Fund was realigned with the DPWH.

However, the excess units will be turned over to the City. There was an instance that there

was a budget of P40 Million for CEO appropriated for building construction but was realigned to

purchase streetlights. Such that, after election a Supplemental Budget has been made to return

the same amount being intended for said CEO building. However, he was informed of the

intention to transfer the CEO building along the circumferential road, but there is no fund to

purchase a lot for the proposed CEO Building. This problem was discussed with the City Mayor

who is also not amenable to put up the new building in the same area because it cannot cater

with the incoming heavy equipment.

There are only three (3) gabion dikes included in the AIP. Most gabion dikes were

identified in 2013 CDRRMC Fund and list of which are already with the CEO. For 2014, there is

a proposal to include the gabion dike with the Calamity Fund since the 70% of appropriated P64

Million will fall under the preventive projects and such was actually included in the AIP but as to

the lump sum, currently there are no details of the projects. The CDRRMC Office is in charge in

facilitating and consolidating the said proposals. Hence, it should be noted that in the proposed

2014 annual budget, there is no appropriated amount for gabion dikes.

City Councilor Gacal suggested to make amendment in the AIP under Calamity Fund of

P64 Million to include the construction of gabion dike at P.I. 16, Barangay City Heights

amounting to P23, 817,640 to be one among the CDRRMC proposed projects. This amendment

will also be included during the discussion of the annual budget. Engr. Provido affirmed that P.I.

16 was already included in their proposal for CDRMM project submitted to the City Mayor’s

Office.

The chair asked about the water tank funded by the government in a small community

at nursery near the residents of Blando which is not functional to which Engr. Provido will verify

such similar projects funded by the DPWH.

On the query posed by the Chair, Ms. Bautista clarified that as far as the water system

projects under BUB (Bottoms-Up Budgeting) of the national government, the national

government’s counterpart is 70% while the cost as reflected in the AIP is the LGU counterpart

requirement of 30% of the project cost. Accordingly, funds for all the water system is coming

from DILG’s appropriated fund for such kind of project , but it shall be the respective LGU that

shall implement the said project. Further, the barangay may request to undertake the project

through MOA with the LGU. And in so far as the labor component of the project is concerned,

any association or cooperative within the barangay may be allowed to undertake the project but

the materials for the said project must undergo the required bidding procedures thereto.

With regard to the SLF (Sanitary Land Fill) Land bank amortization, Ms. Bautista said the

City Budget Office is in the better position to expound about this matter.

When asked, Engr. Provido clarified that there are 88 JO’s under their office. There are

20 Job Order professionals (civil/mechanical/electrical/electronic engineers) as Project

Development Officer II receiving a salary of P604.44/day, and they are assigned in the

different divisions: planning, construction, quality and motor pool. And the rest are

Administrative Aide I being assigned for the maintenance of city/barangay roads, canals,

bridges while Administrative Aide III being designated for clerical works.


As to the stagnant water between Gillamacs building and Reyes Terminal at Bagsakan,

Engr. Provido explained that from time to time, it is being declogged. But the CEO proposed to

have an overlay of asphalt in the area which is already proposed in the AIP but was not

included in the annual budget.

City Councilor Gacal requested that he should be reminded during the discussion of the

2014 annual budget to include the construction of the drainage system along Reyes terminal

project in the said annual budget. It is thought to be expedient that the drainage system should

be in place so as to avoid possible bacterial infection to food considering the fact that it is from

bagsakan area that most of the agricultural products are unloaded prior to being sold in the

public market. On the other hand, City Councilor Gacal advised the City Planning and

Development Office (CPDO) to consult the City Administrator’s Office about the SLF.

Engr. Provido requested to include in the AIP One (1) unit of 4-wheel drive vehicle for

the Planning Division and also One (1) SUV 4- wheel drive for Construction Division to be used

in conducting survey of the projects.

CITY VETERINARY OFFICE

City Councilor Gacal asked why Dr. Marin was not present during the discussion at the

City Agriculture’s Office inasmuch as it appears that all programs as far as livestock concerns

are under the City Veterinary Office. His impression was that the livestock production must have

been under City Agriculture’s Office because City Councilor Gacal presupposed that the City

Veterinary Office primarily concerns with the treatment only. Further, during their discussion at

the City Agriculture’s Office, he didn’t know about livestock because it is under the City

Veterinary office.

Dr. Marin stated that most projects proposed from DA with the same concerns with

animals, they are automatically given to veterinary including dispersal, propagation, and

everything. Given the technical complexity of the same, it would be too comprehensive if such

be given to agriculture. Dr. Marin affirmed that their office will concentrate on meat inspection,

operation of city pound, control of astray animals, and breeding programs.

Further, to maintain the standard set for General Santos City to remain anti-rabies free, it is required to vaccinate 80% of the dogs every three years. The standing population of dogs is more or less about 50 thousand based on the formula of the World Health Organization. This year the city was given 5,000 doses from Department of Agriculture. Usually, they ask assistance from the DA, Bureau of Animal Industry to augment the supplies because the city cannot cope with the target requirement. Based on record, last 2010, the GSC Hospital has 5-human death victims with 2,648 dog bites; 2011 with 3,124 dog bites and zero death. By 2012, with 3,834 dog bites with one (1) death but there was a very alarming/high incident of dog bites with the average of 300/month. This is the reason why the City Pound was implemented. For the last 3 years, there were 6 death caused by rabies. They are educating people to leash their dogs or caged them to deter the chances for dog bites.

Thereafter, he requested to include in the 2014 budget as additional program which was

not included in the AIP the newly downloaded program on the operation of liquid nitrogen

(LN2) plant. It is a refrigerant used to freeze cow’s sperms (similya ng baka). They were given

P5 Million worth of plant and equipment by the Department of Agriculture through the City

Government and to sell the so-called LN2 to the DA, local government and provincial

government through the artificial insemination program. And as part of the program is for the

local government unit to earn out of it. The produced LN2 will practically preserve the sperm of


cows and carabaos. Foremostly, the animal sperm is being provided by the National Artificial

Breeding Center and Philippine Carabao Center which is an imported sperms for free.

At this point, he submitted to the committee the drafted proposal for the operation of

liquid nitrogen plant program in the amount of P900,000.00 and the said proposal also include

the two (2) JO operators plus the MOOE needed for the operation of the plant.

After scrutinizing the documents submitted, City Councilor Gacal ruled approved the

proposal for the Operation of Liquid Nitrogen Plant under the City Veterinary Office. He then

advised Dr. Marin to talk to the Mayor and look for a location to consider the proposal for an

office building in the annual budget to which Dr. Marin noted. A recess thereafter followed after

discussing all matters pertaining to the City Veterinary Office.

BANKABILITY CLUSTER

Shortly after the recess, the Bankability Cluster was discussed. Under the City

Accountant’s Office, Ms. Coralynn Espinosa informed that their office is purely office work with

no specifics programs. They would like to have a computerization program, but they are

prohibited in doing so by the COA because under memorandum circular issued wayback 2006

all agencies are prohibited from contracting computerization projects because they will avail the

services of COA for the NGAS. Further, they have their computerization program to be rolled

out to LGUs and other government agencies. Unfortunately, until now the plan is not yet

implemented because they have been revising charge of accounts and other accounting

procedures so they have not yet actually finalized the computerization project. In other words,

the accounting work is still done manually so that the timeliness of the accounting reports is

always compromised.

Hon. Gacal asked what is the wisdom of the executive order that computerization cannot

be pursued by the respective LGU, and Ms. Espinosa replied that it was a lead project of the

Commission on Audit, but the same project now becomes a joint project with the Department of

Budget and Management, COA and the DILG because they saw the need to harmonize all

systems, and the same entailed to be a long term project. The timeline of the project is from

2013 up to 2016. However, she is not aware on what stage they are now. Hence, they will be

constrained to wait for the said computerization project to be rolled out to LGUs. But most of

the LGUs did not heed to the particular Executive Order being issued. Instead, they have

embarked with their respective computerization programs. But the City Accounting Office opted

that everything has to be done manually such that timely submission of the report remains to

be the continuing problem.

City Councilor Gacal asked with the absence of the computerization program how it will

affect the contractors and suppliers; Ms. Espinosa clarified that processing of claims is done

manually so with the audit of claims. Hence, it will certainly affect the audit of claims and more

so it will affect the decision making process in the City particularly the more important issues

that require timely submission of report. City Councilor Gacal observed that some LGUs which

did not listen to the executive order being referred to concerning the halting of computerization

of the respective accounting offices among LGUs, pending the implementation of the COA-

DBM-DILG joint project being mentioned earlier. And it appears that there’s no penalty meted

out for it. Rendering her opinion, Ms. Espinosa said that it practically depends on the local

administration and the COA Auditor on how they will go about the procurement of the

computerization program. Some of the approach to the project would be to get in-house

programmers. Undeniably, there is a need to link the respective database in a unified system

with the Accounting Office, Treasurer Office and all the other revenue generating offices


otherwise if such link is not established, the Accounting Office will have to manually encode all

the accounting entries pertaining to all revenue and disbursement documents coming from the

Office of the City Treasurer.

City Councilor Gacal inquired from Ms. Bautista regarding the proposed in-house 22

program systems for 2014 being lumped in the AIP. Understandably, the goal of such is to have

interconnection with all the other offices. On the other hand, Ms. Espinosa clarified with Ms.

Bautista regarding the systems being contemplated to be installed providing interconnection

with all the other offices if the unified accounting system has been embedded in their program

for 2014.

During the course of the discussion, Ms. Espinosa manifested that under the General

Fund (LDF-20% of IRA) P439, 284,610.68 is being strictly monitored by the Commission on

Audit, DILG, and DBM, respectively. They even published the utilization of fund on a monthly

basis, and she suggested that this be reduced and transferred to the Other LDF-Non IRA. Ms.

Bautista was amenable although in the AIP policy, there is no clear information that the budget

is equal to the AIP; but on the actual evaluation of COA, their attention is always being called

particularly on the many projects being charged to LDF- which is actually 20% of the Internal

Revenue Allotment (IRA). Given the strict COA monitoring, Ms. Bautista deemed it proper to

reclassify the fund source so that the project being stipulated in the AIP will not be stricken out

or lost.

City Councilor Gacal believed that some of the figures need to be changed and updated

prior to eventual approval of the AIP for 2014. And Ms. Bautista requested for a reasonable

time needed to accomplish the same since before changes can be introduced in the AIP, the

same will be decided by the consensus by various offices such as the City Engineer’ Office, City

Budget in consultation with City Mayor particularly those projects that will have to be prioritized

respectively.

Upon clarification, City Councilor Gacal advised the offices concerned to do the

necessary changes or corrections as far as the General Fund (LDF-20% of IRA), and the

General Fund (Other LDF-Non IRA) accordingly.

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

When asked, Ms. Isabelita Tablizo informed that they receive an average of 17

registered death applications per day and the cause of death is duly identified by the City

Health Office. Thereafter, she appealed to include the Renovation and Expansion of the Archive

Room of the Local Registrar Office in the amount of P2Million because it was not stipulated in

the final copy of the AIP although they submitted proposal. Ms. Bautista admitted there was a

submission of proposal; but maybe during the evaluation of the CEO, it was deleted. However,

Ms. Bautista replied reassuring Ms. Tablizo of the Local Civil Registry that this will be included.

And Ms. Bautista elaborated that all infrastructure projects pass through the City Engineer’s

Office for validation as to cost and thereafter the consolidated list will be submitted to the City

Planning Office for inclusion in the AIP database. City Councilor Gacal then instructed Ms.

Bautista to include the proposal awaiting the outcome in the annual budget.

Based on records, Ms. Tablizo clarified that there were 2,006 couples got married;

18,590 registered new born babies last year; 14,631 registered new born this year; 3,000

registered dead yearly. After which, she explained the services under RA 9048 and RA 10172

wherein their respective office catered including the filing fees/charges to be collected. For

every correction of birth year, it is the court that decides.


CITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE ( PAGE 131) Mr. Lastimosa stated that part of mitigation adaptation on Climate Change Impact, he proposed that their previous years’ proposal be granted to complete the remaining area under the ISF program public domain by the year 2014 because as of now, their office is only up to producing and propagating seedlings. He likewise said that their yearly proposal for sustainable livelihood in terms of fruit trees, and Narra was denied on a year to year basis the reason why they have established their own nursery just to produce and propagate seedlings with a job order maintaining it. The nursery is located in the compound of CENRO, and it is about 1,800 square meters and also in the barangays. He said that they have to target a hundred thousand plant seedlings such as Mahogany, Bagras, Narra, Acacia and all other trees. It’s a cost saving for the city but at this time when the need to mitigate the climate change is so urgent he is requesting that their project proposal be considered by the Office of the City Mayor. Based on the proposal of the farmers for sustainable livelihood, they need fruit trees, Narra, Kawayan, and Lawaan and the estimated budget for the purchase of the seedlings is about P2.8 Million . Likewise, he requested for a (1) 4x4 pick up and (1) hauler truck which the chair stated that for additional proposals these will be discussed with Atty. Zapatos. The chair said they will include the amendment for the AIP of the said Office (1) Hauler truck and (1) SUV car monitoring vehicle and the seedlings requirement of 2.8 Million . CITY POPULATION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE ( PAGE 122 ) In answer to the query of the chair, Ms. Grafilo stated that the office is more on the advocacy and information education, trainings, orientation, etc. The City Health Office is on the basic services and on the provision of medicines.

Ms. Grafilo stated that they are continually implementing the program and sustaining information dissemination on education, communication, advocacy and training among Young People. It is more on equipping and training young people and they made a partnership with the schools where they identified and trained potential peer educators. She said they have peer educators in all high schools in the city.

As to the concern raised by the chair regarding high school students engaged in premarital sex, Ms. Grafilo stated that they could not control it; but they are focusing also on preventing early pregnancy or teenage pregnancy. It’s more on educating them also; and likewise, they are conducting parenting seminars with the parents, and it is a continuing program. As to the query of the chair, Ms. Magante stated that as mandated by the local government, the juvenile delinquents is under their Office but the program on this was transferred to the YADO. Ms. Grafilo said they have talked with Mr. Elmer Cequiña and accordingly their office is focused on leadership like the Junior officials. Ms. Grafilo finally requested for the inclusion of the hiring of legal officer and legal researcher to cater the VAWC victims. The chair assured that the manifestation of Ms. Grafilo will be in the AIP and will be considered during the discussion of the annual budget. CITY SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

When asked by the chair, Ms. Magante stated that they have two new programs which

are not reflected in the AIP, “Support to Aklat” in the amount of P883,312.00. She said this “Support to Aklat” is a component of the CSWDO because of the Early Childhood Care and Development. There are 160 centers and 3 to 4 year olds are attending the program. They intend to expand, and there is a need also for them to conduct series of trainings this summer for the teachers because the law on Early Childhood Care and Development was recently


revoked and replaced with another Republic Act to which there is an urgent need for a pool of teachers for the Day Care centers. She said she had presented to the Sanggunian a Standard National Child Development Center Facility costing P 2.3 Million coming from the national government but that will be operational after a year. Another new program is Support to Integrated Barangay Affairs (IBA). This is under Mayor’s Office. There is a new structure to be made and all the community based program of CSWDO will collaborate with the existing staff of the mayor.

Ms.Magante was then requested to coordinate with Ms. Bautista as to the details of the

programs to be included in the AIP for the inclusion of amendments to IBA. All these matters

he said will be discussed thoroughly during the budget hearing.

CITY HOUSING OFFICE (PAGE 124)

Ms. Maryann Bacar of City Housing Office manifested that her concern is for the

inclusion in the Annual Investment Plan the development of 60 hectares relocation site at

Barangay Bawing for occupants along danger zone of which the 20 hectares is waived by Mr.

Chanco, and the rest was likewise waived by another clan through the initiative of City Mayor

Ronnel Rivera.

City Councilor Cloma informed that the Calub Clan executed a Deed of Donation of 200

hectares in favor of the city of which his office has already a copy of such donation; however, it

was not yet indorsed because the clan is not yet in possession of the property.

Ms. Maryann Bacar also informed that the city mayor had already an initial talk with

Alcantaras who would likewise waive portion of their area. She also informed that the 40

hectares has already a subdivision plan hoping to groundbreak the area on or before December.

As to the informal settlers, she said they already has started the house tagging along

the danger zone of Barangay West. They also has started profiling the different barangays. In

fact, she said there’s already a registration of informal settlers of General Santos of which the

data can be validated with the City Census.

However, City Councilor Gacal was apprehensive that once this relocation site is

advertised it would eventually be a crowd drawing of informal settlers coming from other

places. What to do first is to make profiling of illegal settlers to avoid problem in the future to

which Ms. Bacar said they are now doing it. By the creation of the Local Housing Board, they

could convene the City Registration Committee to screen qualified beneficiaries for the

relocation site. As to the development, it can be placed with land guards.

Further deliberations ensued and after which, she proposed for the inclusion in the AIP

under the Capital Outlay for the purchase of a GPS Survey Grade Transit Equipment before

consideration in the budget amounting to P1.5 Million with a total appropriation for the

Maintenance and Other Operating Expense of P6 Million intended for the development of 60

hectares resettlement area at Barangay Bawing. Also to be included in the AIP and possible

inclusion in the Annual Budget is the Improvement for the of Conference Room of City Housing

Office amounting to P100,000.00.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY HOSPITAL

Dr. Benjamin Pagarigan of General Santos City Hospital requested an additional P20

Million in the Annual Investment Plan for the operation of the hospital. This is to address or


solve the root cause of the problem of the hospital. Previously he said the budget was only

P27Million , but the actual need was P67Million . In 2012, out of the target of P79 Million , he

was able to collect P112 Million . In 2013, the collection target was P85 Million which was

already hit as early as end of September.

As to the actual budget in 2012 of P130 Million , the total cost of services rendered in

the hospital was billed at P162 Million but only P112Million was collected. To really address the

true root of the problem, it would be the right time now he said to complete the budget of

P67Million as requested in the AIP by way of adding P20 Million . In fact, he also informed

that they intend to open the private wing for additional medicines and medical supplies and to

as well open the special care services in the Intensive Care Units to make it a tertiary hospital.

The total budget for the drugs, medicines, and medical supplies would amount to P47 Million ,

but the hospital needs a budget of P67 Million so there’s really a need to add P20 Million to

make it P67 Million .

Ensuing further deliberations, City Councilor Melliza after having been clarified by Dr.

Pagarigan that the dialysis machine is already 80% completed was further informed by City

Councilor Lagare that as to its operation, a certain member of the nephrologist group from

Davao City who is operating the DMC proposed for a MOA in which City Councilor Rosalita

Nuñez already acted on the proposal.

As to the Memorandum of Agreement with the Sarangani, Dr. Benjamin Pagarigan

believed that there’s a need to amend the MOA because of the 70-30 agreement wherein the

70% will be taken care of by the government and 30% by the patients. Unfortunately, he said

the 30% usually becomes a bad debt that since 2007, it already reached approximately P12

Million . The government of Sarangani Province has still an outstanding balance of P6 Million .

Thus, he suggested that it be amended that instead of 70% to be taken care of by the

government and 30% by the patients, the 100% should be covered by the Sarangani Province

to which City Councilor Gacal considered it not a problem.

Dr. Pagarigan also recalled that in their last AIP meeting, they were accordingly told

that they can still give 2nd folder where there contained their proposals. Therefore, he

requested for the inclusion in the Annual Investment Plan such as Repair and Renovation of

Surgical Ward and Laboratory, Repair and Renovation of Isolation Ward, and the

Computerization of the hospital which he considered very vital in their operation for 2014 as

they will be applying for a tertiary level hospital.

As far as the computerization of the hospital, the figure would be given by Dr.

Pagarigan to Ms. Bautista wherein she in turn said that they would still check it in the list of

their programs if it was already included.

Another thing raised was about the problem on their land at the General Santos City

Hospital which is unpaid until now. City Councilor Melliza suggested to have a dialogue with

the city mayor.

Ms. Bautista thereupon informed that there is another proposal forwarded to her end to

include in the AIP an additional appropriation of P5 Million for the Completion of the

Construction of Gensanville Floodway Canal.

Thereafter, chair ruled the same approved on committee level as amended.

City Councilor Cloma thereupon introduced another amendment for the inclusion in

the AIP for the Construction of foot bridges across the national highway connecting Notre

Dame and Aparente St. The maximum projected budget is P8 Million . The other one is across

end of Santiago Boulevard connecting St. Elizabeth Hospital with that portion, Jollibee then


across also the national highway, the other side in front of Jollibee Calumpang highway. To be

included also is the road opening across the Goipeng property that will be connecting Block 8

road-Hope and the road in front of Salvani Street that is now reaching the Block 8 road passing

the Goipeng property. Another one to be included is the road opening from the riverside road

connecting the national highway via Johnny Ang Paradise and PI-16 road in preparation for a

new plan to creating an innovative flyover.

Thereafter, the chair ruled the additional P20 Million for drugs and medical supplies for

the General Santos City Hospital approved on committee level as amended.

At this juncture, another amendment was introduced to include in the Annual

Investment Plan, the Repair and Improvement of Public Attorney’s Office, Hall of Justice

Compound, General Santos City in the amount of P340,000.00.

Concerning Sangguniang Panlungsod Office where there are three (3) legislative staff in

which one (1) is still unfunded and that the positions in the Sangguniang Panlungsod were

not abolished, City Councilor Gacal stated to fund that particular position and be included in the

AIP. However, Ms. Melinda Betaizar said they are to check first with the plantilla if what is

vacant funded so that it be the one to be made a computation. He would just be informed on

the amount.

CITY BUDGET OFFICE-PAGES 2 &3

Ms. Melinda Betaizar after informing the body about one of the guidelines in the

preparation of 2014 Annual Budget, she emphasized that the departments are not precluded to

submit separate folder for possible inclusion in the first supplemental budget except for big

offices like Hospital, Engineering, CSWD, CENRO, and City Health. However, they should see to

it that all their proposals in the second folder are included in the Annual Investment Plan

otherwise it will not be considered for funding in the Supplemental Budget.

CITY HEALTH OFFICE

As far as the City Health Office is concerned, it remains as approved by the Local

Finance Board.

City Councilor Cloma at this point justified the need to fast track the updating of the

Zoning Ordinance which can be done thru a task force in which they will be incurring additional

expenses for communication and allowances. The chair then ruled to include the additional

amendment for the updating of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance by a

task force in the amount of P850,000.00.

At this juncture, the chair ruled both the Resolution Approving the 2014 Annual

Investment Program (AIP) of the City Government of General Santos and Resolution Adopting

the City Development Strategies as the Executive-Legislative Agenda of General Santos City

approved on committee level as amended..

After which, the chair directed the staff to prepare the committee report to this effect

so that the same be calendared for second reading. He thereupon declared the hearing

suspended until such time the Annual Budget will be called for committee hearing.

COMMITTEE HEARING-SUSPENDED @6:00 P.M


Prepared by:

DINA B. MURING INOCENCIA J. TUMBAGA JERLYN L. MALUPA

Stenographic Reporter III Stenographic Reporter III Stenographic Reporter III

DALISAY F. IGNACIO LORELIE B. CALUBAD JULIET A. DELA TORRE Stenographic Reporter III Stenographic Reporter III Stenographic Reporter III

Attested by:

ATTY. FRANKLIN M. GACAL, JR. City Councilor and Chairperson

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committee report no. 17-064 -...

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