LAGUNA — The mayor and vice mayor are at odds over the local government’s intention to give Noche Buena Christmas gift packages to roughly 84,000 families in San Pablo City, Laguna. This conflict is now known as the “Noche Buena War.”

Mayor Arcadio “Najie” Gapangada Jr. chastised Vice Mayor Justin Colago and other Sangguniang Panglungsod members for turning down his request for P45 million for the Noche Buena presents during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

“Mahalaga po na yun ay mapayagan na ng ating Sangguniang Panglungsod dahil kapag natagal nang natagal yan ibig sabihin nadedelay nang nadedelay ang papasko natin sa ating mga kababayan” says Gapangada.

(It is important that the city council approves this since the longer it takes, the more delayed our Christman present to our citizens will be)

The mayor requested the council on October 21 to allow him to spend P45 million from the local government’s savings.

However, the Sangguniang Panglungsod only approved a P14.9-million budget.

According to the mayor, the P14.9 million will barely cover the needs of San Pablo’s 84,000 families.

‘Release of funds is not that simple.’
Vice Mayor Colago explained to ABS-CBN News that the council allowed only P14.9 million because that is what may be legally obtained from the general fund.

The remaining more than P30 million would come from the city’s Gender and Development Program, which would be difficult to release.

The vice mayor, who also serves as the council’s presiding officer, stated that GAD has restrictions for how the money can be spent, and that delivering Christmas gifts is not one of the approved expenses.

(The money can only be used for seminars and training; we have a legal team and are relying on their advice.)

He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government will have to weigh in on the proposal to use the funds for Christmas gifts.

USAGE OF FUNDS
Vice Mayor Colago denied the accusations, stressing that they are only assuring the proper and lawful use of public funds.

Despite the reduced budget, Mayor Gapangada stated that the distribution of Noche Buena packages will continue, but only destitute families will be prioritized due to the restricted permitted cash.

This is the first time the San Pablo City administration has created a program to deliver Christmas gifts, and citizens are excited to learn about it.

DISAPPOINTED RESIDENTS
Residents are now asking Vice Mayor Colago to share the mayor’s proposed budget.