The City Council of Davao on Monday approved on third and final reading the proposed 2024 Supplemental Budget No. 4 amounting to P47,900,000.
Proposed by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, SB No. 4, which was certified urgent by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, consists of the General Fund Proper and the Economic Enterprises.
Ortiz, chairperson of the Committee of Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, bared that a portion of the budget will be used to grant service recognition initiatives (SRIs) worth P20,000 each to 2,395 qualified city government of Davao employees.
Duterte emphasized that the appropriation items incorporated in the budget are very essential and urgently needed in sustaining the programs and projects of the city government of Davao, “hence, the requisite for a legislative authority is earnestly requested.”
The SB No. 4 underwent three special sessions which started on December 19 upon the request of the City Mayor’s Office.
In a letter to the City Council addressed to Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., signed by City Administrator Atty. Francis Mark Layug, states that as the budget for the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) shall be chargeable against the available FY 2024 funds of the local government, requested the City Council to convene for three special sessions for the passage of 2024 SB No. 4 from which the grant of the said incentive shall be sourced.
This is in line with Administrative Order No. 27 issued by the Office of the President authorizing the grant of SRI to the government employees for Fiscal Year 2024 and the Department of Budget and Management Circular No. 2024-7.
Section 9 stipulates that the payment date of the SRI to all qualified government employees shall be made not earlier than Dec. 15, 2024.
