“Resolve the issue once and for all otherwise, I would bring the matter to a proper forum, " Evangelista said in a statement.
The mayor lamented that several months have passed after the Joint Executive and Legislative Budget hearing, yet the legislators failed to resolve their disagreements.
Evangelista said the municipal legislators should not delay the approval of the 2022 budget because the programs and services of the people will be affected.
“l respect the leadership of the Sangguniang Bayan, and I urge the August Body to resolve the issue at hand among themselves so as not to delay the passage of the 2022 budget. The swift passage of the 2022 budget is crucial in funding programs, projects and activities for 2022 and in ensuring budgetary preparedness to enable the Municipal Government of Santo Tomas to perform its mandate effectively,” he said.
Evangelista said he issued a statement, asking the leadership of the Sangguniang Bayan to resolve the issue speedily to avoid delays in public service amid the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2022 proposed budget of the Municipal Government of Santo Tomas hit a snag at the Sangguniang Bayan after the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations chaired by Councilor Cromwell S. Cocamas deliberated the budget proposal at a hearing conducted on November 17.
The issue came when Councilor Dario Romano questioned the proposed purchase of the eight vehicles amounting to P11.2 million intended for the legislators, describing the procurement as “inappropriate”, emphasizing that farmers need more help amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A verbal altercation among the Sangguniang Bayan members transpired during the scheduled committee hearing with Councilors Romano, Cocamas, Languido and resource persons from the Executive Branch floating different opinions over the Soil Analysis Laboratory versus the procurement of eight vehicles for the SB members worth P11.2 million issue.
Councilor Dario Romano was proposing to establish the Soil Analysis Laboratory, while Councilor Cromwell Cocamas and other SB members were proposing the purchase of the eight vehicles.
Meanwhile, Municipal Administrator lawyer Elisa Evangelista said the Executive Branch is monitoring the issue at the Sangguniang Bayan. We will not allow delay in the passage of the 2022 budget of the Santo Tomas LGU.
“We are closely monitoring the issue. If the Sangguniang Bayan delays the passage of the 2022 budget of the LGU, this would likely hobble the economic recovery of the whole municipality. We will not allow a reenacted budget as this will prevent the release of much-needed funds for the pandemic response and infrastructure projects,” she said.
She said that a reenacted budget could risk the town’s economic recovery next year, forcing the municipal government to spend less.
“Our legal team is keeping an eye on the issue. We will do whatever it takes to pass the 2022 budget of the Santo Tomas LGU,” she warned. (Armando Fenequito)
Image from Santo Tomas MIO