BACOLOD City Councilor Caesar Distrito confirmed Wednesday, June 7, that the City Government is receiving P1.3 million a month from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) as host-local government unit.
Distrito, chairperson of committee on finance, said Bacolod has been receiving funds from Pagcor since the 1990’s because they operate a casino in the city.
The amount is spent for projects under five areas, including infrastructure, peace and order, anti-drug abuse, scholarship or education program, and medical program.
He said the mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are not receiving the cash directly, but only identify the projects limited to the five guidelines of the Pagcor.
Every month, each councilor is allowed to identify P20,000 worth of projects and there should be receipts.
For the release of the budget, the city officials are required to follow the procedures like approval from the offices of budget and accounting, and the Commission on Audit, and then it will be submitted to the City Council for approval.
Distrito said the City Treasurer’s Office informs the officials if there’s already a funding from Pagcor.
He added that most of the identified projects are for medical expenses and for the 10 police stations.
Bacolod is also required to submit an audit report or liquidation report to the Pagcor.
He said Negros Occidental is also receiving Pagcor funds.
Distrito added that sometimes, the release of the Pagcor funds is delayed and this year, they received allocations only for the months of January and February so far.
