BLITAR – Blitar City Council has warned the local administration over slow budget absorption in 2026. Lawmakers fear delays could disrupt several strategic development projects planned for this year.

By April 2026, regional spending realization remained below 30 percent. Officials considered the figure far below the ideal target for the early fiscal period.

Totok Sugiarto, a member of Commission III from the National Awakening Party (PKB), said current spending patterns still fail to reflect significant development progress.

According to Totok, most realized spending still focuses on routine expenses such as employee salaries and operational costs.

“Based on the latest information in April, budget realization remains below 30 percent. Most of it still comes from employee spending,” Totok said.

He urged the city administration to immediately accelerate capital expenditure, especially in the construction sector.

Lawmakers worry delayed spending could create a buildup of physical projects near the end of the year. They believe rushed construction work could affect project quality and completion schedules.

Totok said the city administration must speed up absorption from the Rp 60 billion capital expenditure allocation.

“The largest spending component remains goods and services at Rp 386 billion. We want faster budget absorption,” he added.

Several capital expenditure components still await execution this year. Authorities allocated Rp 2.9 billion for land spending and Rp 11.3 billion for equipment and machinery.

The city administration also prepared Rp 21 billion for building projects. Another Rp 24.5 billion will support roads, irrigation systems, and network infrastructure.

Slow budget realization has become a serious concern because Blitar City must complete 10 strategic projects during 2026.

The projects include the construction of the Blitar Trade Center (BTC) with a Rp 2.5 billion budget. Authorities also allocated Rp 8.1 billion for the revitalization of the Sentul Circuit.

Other projects include a multipurpose Sport Center building and the revitalization of Sumber Udel Waterpark. The tourism project alone received Rp 2 billion in funding.

“Budget absorption for strategic projects remains relatively slow,” Totok admitted.

The city also plans to continue environmental and education projects this year. Authorities allocated Rp 4 billion for the third phase of outbound area development at Ecopark Joko Pangon in Gedog.

Other projects include landfill expansion and irrigation channel construction along Ir Soekarno Street. The administration also plans drainage development on Anggrek-Melati Street worth Rp 800 million.

Blitar City will also continue the second phase of TKN Kepanjenlor development and provide free school uniforms for students.

Totok stressed that the administration must prioritize construction spending to avoid a budget pile-up at the end of the year.

“We do not want spending to pile up at the end of the year because it could affect project quality,” he said.