ORDINANCE ALLOWING MORE THAN 1% OF BRGY. BUDGET FOR ELDERLY, PWDS PUSHED

June 10, 2023 Metro BLISTT

The Baguio City Council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that would allow the
barangays in the city to allocate more than 1% of their annual budget for programs, projects, and activities that address the needs of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). This proposed ordinance principally authored by Councilor Peter Fianza seeks to repeal Ordinance 26-2011 or the ordinance providing guidelines for the utilization of the said 1% fund pursuant to Joint Circular No. 2003-1 of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

According to Fianza, this ordinance needs to be repealed due to a change in policy in 2015. “Instead of setting aside the specified amount, agencies are to mainstream funds even amounting to more than 1% of the agency’s budget to identified programs and projects related to the needs of said older
persons and PWDs,” Fianza stated. He said since 2015, the General Appropriations Act has
constantly welcomed this development, adding that Section 36 of the said Act for the current fiscal year 2023 reiterates the directive for all agencies in the government to formulate plans, programs, and projects intended to address the concerns of senior citizens and PWDs.

Fianza claimed several senior citizen and PWD organizations in many barangays are still referring to Ordinance 26- 2011 and are demanding the setting aside of the 1% fund. He stressed the repeal of the said ordinance will remove the confusion. The proposed measure has been referred to the city council’s Committee on Social Services, Women, and Urban Poor for review.

SP/Jordan G. Habbiling