Comafay seeks clarity on P18.4M supplemental budget, P340K Laya West flood control project; Council agrees to invite offices to explain

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Atty. Errol B. Comafay sought clarification on several allocations under the proposed P18.4-million supplemental budget of the City Government of Tabuk, including a P340,000 flood control project in Barangay Laya West, during the 7th City Council’s regular session on August 18, 2026.

Comafay raised the questions during the council’s deliberation of an ordinance authored by Councilor Ivan Yannick S. Bagayao, titled, “An Ordinance Authorizing the Supplemental Budget No. 04, Series of 2026 of the City Government of Tabuk, Reverting and Re-appropriating the Funds in the Total Amount of Eighteen Million, Four Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred Thirteen Pesos and Seventy-Two Centavos (P18,428,113.72).”

Among the allocations he questioned was the P1-million budget for office equipment under the City Administrative Office.

“Considering P1 million is a large amount, and in the interest of transparency, we should at least know what the intended equipment to be purchased with that amount are,” Comafay said.

Bagayao checked on the transmittal and responded that “We can clarify that nu ipainvite tayo isuda (concerned offices) next meeting. But as to the form ket in lump gamin dagijay amount.” 

Comafay also questioned the P7.9-million allocation for the repair and maintenance of buildings, asking which specific city-owned buildings would be covered by the proposed expenditure. He further requested supporting documents detailing the proposed expenditures so the council could review the specific items included in the supplemental budget.

The proposed P340,000 flood control project in Barangay Laya West, meanwhile, also caught the attention of the lawmaker.

Comafay sought clarification on how the project would be monitored once the funds are transferred to the barangay, particularly whether technical personnel would be available to inspect the project during construction and upon completion.

Bagayao explained that the City Engineering Office would be  ready to lend technical assistance and expertise to the said barangay.

The council later agreed to invite the City Engineering Office and other offices concerned during the next session to provide further clarification on the proposed flood control project and other infrastructure projects covered by the fund transfers as well as the details of the lump sum appropriation in the supplemental budget.

The City Engineering Office is expected to provide details on the project’s location, implementation, construction, inspection and completion during next week’s regular session.

Following the discussion, the proposed supplemental budget ordinance and the ordinance covering the fund transfers were approved on second reading and advanced to the third and final reading for further legislative action.