Contrary to published reports (not in MetroPost) that the Mayor Felipe Remollo left over P3.1B in liquid assets to the City, Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria has discovered that the actual amount is only a little over P212 million.
This news greeted Mayor Chiquiting on his first day in office as he met with the City Finance Committee.
“The funds have all been allocated to various projects so there is no money for infrastructure and other developments,” Mayor Sagarbarria said.
But he admitted that Dumaguete still has money to continue running the government because of the monthly share of over P60 million from the national tax allotment, formerly called Internal Revenue Allotment.
For 2026, the City will propose a P1.55 billion budget.
The Mayor started his first full day in office last July 1 with a flag ceremony, where he announced that all Job Order workers would be extended by two months, during which they will be evaluated by their superiors.
City employees also cheered the Mayor’s announcement that financial aid, or ayuda, would be extended to anyone who is a resident of Dumaguete, regardless of political affiliation.
The Mayor also announced that no Job Order employee would receive less than P463 a day, saying this is the “living wage” in the City.
Mayor Chiquiting also signed several executive orders, such as the renewal of the sisterhood agreement with Yeongdong-gun in South Korea, and the City of Alameda in California, USA; forming the public market inspectorate and development team, forming the socialized housing projects committee, revised the decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals, and returning all employees back to their mother units.
While praising the Pantawan as a good idea, the Mayor said he will take steps to legalize its existence by complying with the requirements of the Philippine Reclamation Authority.
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Photo Caption: Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria, flanked by the new elected officials of Dumaguete City, signs several executive orders after Tuesday’s flag ceremony at the Dumaguete Presidencia. (Photo by Alex Pal)
