By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved this city’s proposed PHP4.4-billion annual budget for 2025 during its regular session on Wednesday.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chair of the SP Committee on Appropriations and Finance, confirmed the approval in a radio interview on Thursday.
The 2025 budget is PHP800 million higher than the PHP3.6-billion budget for 2024.
According to the approved ordinance, the funds will come from tax revenues totaling PHP1,495,000,000, non-tax revenues amounting to PHP570,426,018, for a combined PHP2,065,426,018; the National Tax Allotment (NTA) of PHP2,244,573,982; other NTA shares of PHP81 million; and non-regular income of PHP9 million.
The budget allocates PHP1,539,522,080 for general services, PHP1,769,730,970 for social services, PHP401,016,397 for economic services, and PHP689,730,553 for special-purpose appropriations.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said a significant portion of the funds will go to health services. He also emphasized prioritizing digitalization as Bacolod works toward becoming a smart city.
Benitez had earlier requested SP approval for the 2025 budget, citing improvements in the delivery of basic services, business support, and job creation as part of the city’s vision to become a super city.
