CdeO's 21st City Council Approves 2026 Budget

October 27, 2025,Cagayan de Oro-The recent approval of nearly 9 billion pesos by the City’s 21st Council, led by Majority Floor Leader Edgar Cabanlas, most of the councilors supported this budget during their session Monday afternoon. However, dissenting opinions emerged from council members such as Imee Moreno and Kagawad Aga Suan, challenging the feasibility and sustainability of such a budget.

The approval of a substantial budget is often seen as a step towards progress for any city. It indicates an intention to invest in infrastructure, public services, and community developement but Councilor Imee Moreno raised valid concerns regarding the sufficiency of tax collection revenues to support this ambitious budget. Her objections were based on financial planning: to ensure that anticipated revenues align with expenditures.

Additionally, Kagawad Aga Suan's remarks about the budget as being "wishful thinking" emphasized his skepticism over projected data accuracy and computations used in estimating revenue needs versus allocations.

The approval of nearly 9 billion pesos by the City’s Council will give development and was challenged on how this is allocated and spent.

By Chyrel Macale Cariaga

Journalist /Columnist