Kasambagan has richest, Paril poorest brgy officials

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Kasambagan has the richest officials while Barangay Paril officials are the least moneyed among the 80 barangay captains and 560 barangay councilmen in the 80 barangays in Cebu City.

The figures were based on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) submitted to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the year 2010.

Kasambagan barangay councilman Franklyn Ong, a businessman, who is the president of the Barangay Councilors’ League of the Philippines (BCLP)-Cebu City Chapter, declared P32,912,308.35 in his net worth.

Ong’s real properties include a land in Lilo-an, St. Michael Village, Buhisan Drive, Maria Luisa and a building in A. S. Fortuna in Mandaue City. He listed his business interests being the presidents of Pasajero Motors and Philippine Asia Resources.

Another Barangay Kasambagan councilman, George Chang, is third richest barangay official with a net worth of P19.575 million. He owned a restaurant and properties in Mactan and Basak-Pardo, and vehicles.

Their barangay captain, Jose Lim, listed 16th having a total net worth of P2.5 million.

The second richest barangay official is first-term captain Nunilon Monares of Kalunasan. He declared his SALN amounting to P30, 804, 500. He has several properties in Kalunasan, Tuburan, Minglanilla and Masbate, and heavy equipment.

Day-as Barangay Captain Rey Cañada, who has P10.48 million in assets and P100,000 in liabilities ranked fourth while Tejero barangay captain Jessielou Cadungog, who is one of the board members of the largest OPASCOR in the country, ranked fifth with P9.808 million in SALN.

Completing the list of millionaire barangay officials are Mambaling’s Rodolfo Estella (P8.6 million); Banilad’s Nicolas Leyson (P8.539 million); Pari-an’s Jeremias Nuñez (P8.330 million); Sambag I’s Jerry Guardo (P6.42 million); Buhisan’s Rustica Asid (P6.2 million); Sto. Niño’s Pancho Ramirez Sr. (P5.980 million); Bacayan’s Armando Borces (P4.864 million); Tinago’s Dominggo Lopez (P3.6 million); Talamban’s Jesus Remedio (P2.650 million) and Punta Princesa’s Jose Navarro (P2.640).

Meanwhile, the mountain barangay of Paril has the poorest officials. Its barangay captain, Melchor Escabarte, declared his net worth amounting to P29,000 while his councilman, Silvano Hayang declared P16,000 in SALN.

As barangay captain, Escabarte is receiving not more than P10,000 a month as salary while their barangay councilmen only receives P6,700 a month.

Barangays officials in the rural areas are receiving honoraria of not more than P20,000 for the barangay captains while their councilman are receiving not more than P15,000.

Yearly, all public officials and employees are reminded by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to file their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) on or before the April 30, 2011 deadline.

SALN filing is a requirement mandating all in the government service to declare their financial status. It is a comprehensive record of a government worker’s assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests and financial connections, including those of their spouse and unmarried children below 18 years old.

It also includes names of relatives in government up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity. — (FREEMAN)