Spat mars distribution of seniors cash aid

CEBU, Philippines - Despite a generally “smooth” second and last day of senior citizens cash assistance distribution, a heated argument erupted between a barangay captain and city hall official over venue’s physical arrangement.

Market Operations Division head Racquel Arce and Cogon Pardo captain Eugenio “Jun” Gabuya, Jr. exchanged unpleasant words at the barangay gym due to opposing designs.

The two officials however agreed to set aside the argument after a few minutes and proceeded with the distribution of the cash assistance.

Gabuya was furious because Arce allegedly barged into the gym and rearranged the tables and chairs, which the barangay accordingly prepared until early dawn.

“Nabuntagan intawn ang akong mga tawo aron lang ma arrange ang lingkuranan ug lamisa. Kapila na mi nakasuway og distribution so suhito na mi’g unsaon ang sistema. Usa pa, nakig-coordinate man mi sa Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) sa wala pa ang distribution,” Gabuya told The Freeman.

They were caught off-guard when Arce and her group suddenly changed the arrangement without informing the barangay officials, he added.

“Wala man gani na sila (Arce) nagpahibawo namo nga sila diay ang muanhi ug mu-distribute sa cash assistance. Ang among nahibaw-an nga ang OSCA ug city treasurer’s office (CTO) ang among kauban sa pagpanghatag,” the barangay captain continued.

Arce, for her part, explained that as a department head, she was tasked by Mayor Michael Rama to head the distribution in Cogon Pardo, just like other departments apart from OSCA and CTO.

“Kaming tanang department heads involved gyud mi ani kay mao may mando ni Mayor Mike. Gahapon didto mi sa barangay Mabolo na-assign,” she said.

Explaining why their group changed the layout, the market administrator said the one prepared by the barangay was only enough for four disbursement officers (DO) when their team had 12 to make the transactions faster.

“Miabot mi sa venue mga alas singko sa buntag. Nagpaabot mi og usa ka oras. Pag-abot na sa alas-6, misulod na mi. Wala na mi kahuwat kay kinahanglan na namong sugdan ang distribution. Kay duna biya mi mando gikan ni Mayor Mike (Rama) nga sugdan og sayo aron dali mahumam,” she further explained.

Arce and her team’s entrance without permission from any barangay official made the barangay captain mad.

“Ang ako lang ba nga duna unta ta’y insaktong pamatasan. Respeto lang gyud. Gihaguan gud na. Magpahibaw unta sila daan nga mao diay na ilang buhaton. Mao ra na akong gikalainan nila,” he said.

Arce admitted her fault of not properly coordinating with Gabuya before changing the physical arrangements but insisted that they did it for a more efficient distribution so as not to keep the senior citizens waiting under the heat of the sun.

 â€œMaayo kay miangkon siya sa iyang sala. I can assure you that the next distribution will be much better because it will now be under Tommy (Osmeña),” Gabuya commented. — (FREEMAN)