Cotabato City, Philippines โย The Cotabato City government faces an uncertain future for its planned commerce and trade initiatives in its 37 barangays as the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) continues to withhold approval of its proposed 2025 operational budget.
Mayor Mohammad Bruce Matabalao sounded the alarm during a dialogue with reporters at his office on Thursday, January 1.
He disclosed that the city council appears intent on rejecting the nearly โฑ2-billion proposal intended to fund the cityโs public services, socio-economic programs, and peacebuilding efforts for the year.
“It is very likely now that we will have a โreenactedโ budget for 2025,” Matabalao lamented, referring to the cityโs 2024 budget of only โฑ1.8 billion. A reenacted budget would significantly limit the cityโs capacity to roll out new programs and projects.
Political Rift Deepens
The city council, led by Vice Mayor Johari Abu as presiding officer, has raised multiple concerns about the budget proposal, which Matabalao dismissed as unfounded. This budget stalemate unfolds against a backdrop of intensifying political rivalry, with Abu challenging Matabalao for the mayoralty in the upcoming elections.
Both leaders belong to influential regional parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Matabalao represents the Moro Islamic Liberation Frontโs United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), while Abu is the standard-bearer of Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo.
Matabalao accused the council of delaying tactics. “Itโs now January, and the proposed budget, submitted weeks ago, remains untouched,” he said.
He criticized the SP for demanding excessive documentation and requirements beyond what is legally mandated, hindering the budgetโs approval process.
Key Projects at Stake
Among the city governmentโs flagship initiatives for 2025 is the establishment of a Muslim public cemetery. This is a long-overdue project in Cotabato City, which has lacked such a facility since its creation in 1959. Other essential programs, including expanded public services and economic development projects, also hang in the balance.
Matabalao vehemently denied allegations of misusing the 2024 budget. Someย SP members have cited it as a reason for withholding approval. “We were hoping for a fair budget hearing where we could explain the intricacies of our proposed allocations, but they keep moving the goalposts,” he said.
Call for Intervention
Matabalao expressed openness to intervention from the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the BARMM. “We welcome any assistance to resolve this impasse,” he said. He stressed the importance of the budget in ensuring continued growth and stability for Cotabato City.
The budget deadlock underscores leadership and party affiliations heavily influence policy decisions. For now, the fate of Cotabato Cityโs 2025 plans and programs rests in the hands of its divided local government.
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