For poll counterpart, Barangays urged to check budget

CEBU, Philippines - Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Michael Ralota has urged the 80 barangays in Cebu City to look into their general fund that may be utilized for the required monetary counterpart for the expenses in the barangay elections.

Ralota who sits as ex-officio member of the City Council filed a resolution to this effect yesterday.

“Resolved to urge and encourage the respective Sangguniang Barangays of the 80 component barangays of the City of Cebu, to find, determine, or re-align any available barangay general fund budget as source of funding in order to pay P10,000 immediately and not later than October 18, 2013 to the Commission on Elections Cebu City Office as minimum complainance…,” the resolution reads.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc earlier passed a resolution requiring local government units to help in poll expenses. Resolution No. 9739 promulgated last July 10 requires all local government units to set aside funds necessary to augment the appropriations for the budget in the conduct of the polls on October 28. 

The 80 Cebu City barangays, as assessed by local Comelec election officers Marchel Sarno for North District and Edwin Cadungog for South, would need to contribute a total of P14.7 million. Each barangay is expected to shell out at least P10,000 or 10 percent of its general funds.

A matrix of amount due for each barangay was also made by the Cebu City Comelec offices.

Ralota earlier wanted to tap on the share of barangays for various projects but was advised otherwise by the city legal office. City lawyers said it might be difficult to justify the use of the funds with the Commission on Audit (COA).  – (FREEMAN)