The City Treasurer’s Office confirmed that indeed, the Iloilo City Government was not able to pay its electricity bill from July until now because of insufficient funds.

Assistant City Treasurer Carol Dequilla said they are coming up with a supplemental budget in order to pay Panay Electric Company (PECO) more than P 48 million.

Dequilla said PECO sent the city government a letter requesting them to pay the overdue amount including the remaining payment for this year.

She added that City Treasurer Katherine Tingson, before going on her forced leave this week, has raised the concern to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who then ordered they should look for available funds from the city’s annual budget.

Meanwhile, Mabilog said the city government has sufficient funds to pay the overdue amount, but he refused to elaborate on what caused the delay in paying it.

“It’s natural. Bisan ako may utang man sa PECO. Who among you here wala sang utang?” he asked members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps (ICHPC) yesterday.

The city government pays more than P 8 million for its electric consumption monthly, Dequilla said.

ATM ONLINE

Meanwhile, the Philippine Veterans Bank launched its automated teller machine at the Iloilo City Hall lobby yesterday in order to facilitate the employees’ cash withdrawals.

As agreed by the city government and the PVB, the bank will provide convenience to the City Hall employees when they make cash withdrawals, thus the installation of the ATM.

PVB has already issued more than 2,000 identification cards which also serve as ATM cards to the employees.

Two months ago, the PVB issued cards bearing Mabilog’s picture but they said it was the bank’s initiative and they have been doing it to their clients - other local government units - nationwide.

The PVB has also donated 10 timekeeping kiosks to the city government early this year. These are used to record the employees’ attendance.*