NOTE: THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE BOHOL CHRONICLE’S SUNDAY PRINT EDITION.

The construction of a new building for the Tagbilaran Sangguniang Panlungsod was deferred amidst the pandemic.

Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso said that the appropriation for the building construction can very well be used for expenditures relevant to the fight against Covid -19.

“The construction is not as important as to whatever is needed that will add the budget for anything in connection with the fight against Covid 19,” Vice Mayor Veloso stressed.

He mentioned that the appropriation intended for the said building was P20 million.

Meanwhile, Sikatuna Mayor Ellorimo told the Chronicle that the town has deferred the purchase of a van intended for the town lawmakers.

She said the allocation of P1.5 million was to be earmarked for a van that will ferry town councilors to the barangays during the conduct of “out of town hall” sessions.

The amount originally intended for the van acquisition will instead be used to add budgetary outlay related in the imposition of health protocol amidst the pandemic, the mayor said.

Both reports on budget realignment came amid mounting criticism on the insistence of the Capitol to buy 13 brand new SUVs for the provincial board members and the vice governor.