According to Sugiyama, from $252,625, the new proposed budget is now down to $189,000, cutting a huge 25 percent chunk off the budget. If approved, the new State government budget will be implemented in October.
“I don’t know about the others, but for me I was really surprised with the new budget proposal,” said Sugiyama. “We know the needs of the government, and we understand that. We are not against the 25 percent budge cut, but we’re only asking that they give us notice in advance so we can prepare ourselves.”
Sugiyama also felt that it is not the right time to cut the State budget especially to 25 percent right away. “It’s too much and too soon,” she said.
She added that it would be feasible if it will to take effect in five years and in gradual decrease. “Maybe they can start at 5 percent, then they can increase the budget cut to 10, and eventually to 25 percent, so we can try and develop our own resources first.”
According to Sugiyama, right now they don’t have alternative resources. Like most of the 16 States, they don’t have enough local resources to run their own government. They also have their own debts to take into consideration.
“Aside from costs of operations, salaries of employees, we also have to pay for our debts,” Sugiyama explained.
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