DAVAO CITY – The Davao City government is finalizing the 2026 annual budget that will be submitted to the City Council by Oct. 15, in compliance with the law, according to Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations committee.

Speaking before the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos at the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 7, Dayanghirang confirmed that the committee – composed of the city mayor and other key officials – is “working overtime” to finalize the budget for submission.

Once submitted, the councilor said he will immediately send it for first reading before the City Council’s regular session. He added that he will conduct a hearing following the first reading within three or four days and then recommend its approval.

“Time is fast approaching. After the annual budget, there might be a supplemental budget again before the end of the year,” Dayanghirang said, adding that the city might pass a second supplemental budget to accommodate additional expenditures.

Dayanghirang said he expects the proposed budget to exceed last year’s P14-billion allocation for 2025 in 2026, citing Davao City’s strong fiscal position, stable utilities, and improved traffic flow from ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project.

The councilor said they believe Davao City, under the leadership of the Dutertes, continues to be a top performer in social and economic development in the Davao region and Mindanao, especially with the people here following the philosophy of good governance.

Emphasizing the high demand for government services, Dayanghirang said social services will remain the top budgetary priority, particularly in financing government salaries and providing financial assistance to various city departments.

He said that the budgeting process involves multiple layers of consultations through the Barangay Development Council, City Development Council, and the City Peace and Order Council to ensure that allocations reflect the city’s most pressing needs.

These councils, Dayanghirang said, include government and private sector representatives.

He added that the mayor personally consults all councilors, one by one, to ensure consensus-building. He assured that the mayor would take no action without consultation from the people.

As to local revenues, the councilor also highlighted new efforts to enhance revenue collection without raising taxes. Dayanghirang reported that the city generated P19 million in amusement taxes from cockpit houses in just three months.

“It’s only a matter of enforcing the taxes that the key offices must collect,” he said, noting that the additional revenue will help fund emergency assistance, such as for fire victims, and support security programs like the Barangay Police Auxiliary and Task Force Davao.

Dayanghirang assured the City Council’s full support for the needs of the people here, following the mayor’s demands for significant support, given the size of the city. He said the city will provide an update once it finalizes the annual budget.