Day-as chief gets reward from mayor for attendance

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña vows to give P100,000 project allocation fund as reward to Day-as Barangay Captain Jerome Puerto for his attendance in yesterday’s commemoration of the 75th Day of Valor at the Plaza Independencia.

Osmeña told reporters that the giving of project allocation to those barangay officials who devotedly attended the celebration is something he used to do during his previous term.

“Atoang tagaan konsiderasyon no, tagaan premyo, hinaot pa mauwaw ang uban ba,” he said.

Osmeña said that the project allocation fund will either be included in the next annual or in the supplemental budget of the city government. The mayor was elated by Puerto because he was the only barangay captain who attended the event.

Puerto said he was happy with Osmeña's move, adding that he did not expect it. He added that he has been attending Valor Day celebrations since he assumed his position as barangay captain in 2013.

He also said the other barangay captains may have been too tired to attend yesterday's celebration.

“Kay tingali kay ni-attend mig Liga ng Barangay National Assembly namo sa Manila, basig luya sad siguro to. Three days to unya delayed pa gyud amoang flight. Friday na mi nabalik diri sa siyudad,” Puerto said.

As Osmeña delivered his message before the attendees, he also mentioned the other city officials who were not there for the celebration, noting that even Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission head Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and the city council were not there.

The FREEMAN tried to call Labella to get his comment but to no avail as of press time.

Team Rama affiliated councilor Jocelyn Pesquera said she could not attend the celebration because of an important matter but said that she had instructed her staff to attend the event.

“I instructed all my staff to attend because I cannot attend today. I do not have an idea if the other councilors also did not attend. I know that today is a special day because we are commemorating the bravery of our soldiers in defending our country,” she told The FREEMAN.

Aside from Osmeña and Puerto, North District Representative Raul Del Mar was also present. —/JBB (FREEMAN)