By DIANN IVY CALUCIN
City of Manila Mayor Dr. Maria Sheilah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan signed on Monday, Nov. 28, the city government’s budget for 2023 worth P22.2 billion.
"Ngayong araw, ating lalagdaan ang pinakamahalagang ordinansa ng lokal na pamahalaan ang executive budget for the fiscal year 2023 para sa ating minamahal na lungsod na nagkakahalaga ng P22.2 billion. Isinumite natin ito sa ating sangguniang panlungsod at agad naman nila itong tinalakay, sinuri, pinag aralang mabuti at ipinasa (Today, we will sign the most important local government ordinance, the executive budget for the fiscal year 2023 worth P22.2 billion. We submitted it to our city council and they immediately discussed, examined, studied, and passed it)," the mayor said in her address at Bulwagang Antonio Villegas Manila City Hall on Monday.

Under City Ordinance No. 8919 or the 2023 Executive Budget of the City Government of Manila, half of the budget is allocated to improve public services in social and health services programs.
"Halos kalahati po ng ating budget at nakalaan para sa ating serbisyong panlipunan at pangkalusugan (Almost half of our budget is allocated to our social and health services)," she said.
The city government will also continue to intensify programs for peace and order, environmental cleanliness, and social allowances.
Among the fund placements of social allowances are for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, students of state universities, and public schools in the city.
Lacuna-Pangan said the allocation in the 2023 annual budget also includes funds for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC), rehabilitation of city health centers and city libraries, multi-functional and purpose halls for city sectors, construction of a Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) for women and children, and additional facilities for the Manila Boys Town Complex.
The local chief executive applauded the Council of Manila members for their unwavering support and effort for the city's projects.
She also expressed her gratitude to the Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto, Majority Floor Leaders and Councilors Ernesto "Jong" Isip Jr., and Salvador Philip Lacuna for the orderly review and passage of the city's annual budget.