Baguio gov’t sets P4M for Panagbenga

By Levitha Urbano

BAGUIO CITY – The city has appropriated P4 million for the Baguio Flower Festival this year.

City Councilor Elmer Datuin said, the subsidy given by the city to the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI), organizers of this years’ Panagbenga will be distributed mostly for prizes that has been guaranteed by the city.

The prizes will be released and should be claimed at the city hall after the awarding ceremony.

Compared to last year’s Panagbenga, Datuin said, “it has been the same (P4 million) except that the budget last year came from the city and from the congress. For now, it is shouldered only by the city.” This subsidy will make sure that some expenses for Panagbenga will be met. “Some (city officials) are saying that the budget is too small and that the city should add, but the problem with that is we don’t have the accounting of Panagbenga” he added.

Meanwhile, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda said, this budget is primarily for prizes of  the winners for the best in flower float, best in street dance, best in landscaping and all other competitions that will happen for the entire celebration of Panagbenga 2016.

On the other hand, Tabanda said, “not all the prizes are even taken care of the city, the city only take cares the top prizes. Other prizes are being taken care of by the BFFFI”.

The disbursement of the prizes will be at the city hall Treasurer’s Office. This passes government accounting rules and regulations that the money cannot be disbursed without the compliance about the rules and regulations of the government, Tabanda added.

After the disbursement of the money, documents, vouches and other supporting documents are submitted to the Commission on Audit. This is effective by government subject rules and regulations said Tabanda.