MATI CITY Mayor Michelle Rabat raised alarm over the continued budget impasse in the provincial government, citing its detrimental impact on the local economy.
In her recent “Magtanong Kay MNR” program, Mayor Rabat explained that the reenactment of the provincial budget has left approximately ₱120 million idle, significantly hampering the flow of money in Mati.
“The lack of a new budget has paralyzed essential sectors and created economic challenges for Mati. This stalemate is affecting everyone,” she said.
However, the local government has taken proactive measures to counter the economic slowdown caused by the provincial government’s inability to utilize funds effectively.
According to Rabat, the city absorbed job order (JO) workers originally employed by the province, causing the number of JOs in Mati to surge from 2,000 to 3,600.
While this effort has provided much-needed employment to many residents, it has also placed a substantial strain on the city’s financial resources.
“We needed to hire more workers to ensure money circulates in Mati,” Rabat explained. “Providing employment was necessary to cushion the impact of the budget delay on our economy.”
The increase in job orders has driven Mati City’s monthly salary expenses to an estimated ₱40 million. Mayor Rabat admitted that the additional expense has placed a heavy burden on the city’s coffers, but emphasized that it was a necessary move to support the local workforce.
“This is not an ideal situation, but we had to step in where the province fell short. Otherwise, many people would have been left without a source of income,” she said.
Rabat also pointed to political maneuvering as the root cause of the ongoing budget impasse. She accused certain members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of using the budget as leverage to advance their personal or political interests.
“Until now, there’s no new budget because some people are playing politics. They are prioritizing their agendas over the welfare of the people,” she said.
The mayor called on the provincial government to set aside political differences and address the budget issue with urgency, emphasizing the need to restore economic stability to Davao Oriental.
“People are suffering because of this political gridlock. The provincial government needs to act now so we can all move forward,” Rabat urged.
As the budget impasse remains unresolved, the people of Mati City continue to rely on the LGU’s efforts to mitigate the crisis.
However, Rabat warned that prolonged delays could lead to further economic stagnation across the province.
The resolution of this budget crisis now rests on the provincial government’s willingness to prioritize the needs of its constituents over political interests, a decision that could shape the future of Mati and Davao Oriental as a whole.
