Team Rama councilors hold people's forum

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the opposition, Team Rama, yesterday started barangay visitations to personally explain to the people several issues against the administration of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Councilors Raymond Garcia, Joel Garganera, Jun Alcover and Jerry Guardo together with Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella conducted the initial consultations with the people and the officials of Barangays Lorega-San Miguel and Carreta.

Garcia said they are expecting to finish the consultation in all 46 northern barangays by Saturday.

Among the issues against the present administration that the opposition councilors presented to the people were the honoraria of the barangay health workers, day care workers, tanods and financial assistance for senior citizens.

The opposition councilors slammed Osmeña in front of the people in the barangays for terminating the services of the barangay health workers and day care workers as well as the mayor's announcement that the city government will no longer give financial assistance to the barangay officials, except for those allied with the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

 Garganera said it is not also fair for the mayor to be trimming down the number of senior citizens who will receive the P12,000 annual financial assistance.

The mayor announced earlier that only senior citizens registered in Cebu City since 2008 will be given priority in the cash assistance. The new policy is expected to delist at least 27,000 senior citizens from the list of beneficiaries.

Garganera also reported to the people in the barangay how the present administration is treating the barangay officials. He said the mayor recalled all the vehicles issued to them by the previous administration.

He also criticized Osmeña for collecting rentals for the use of Kaohsiung buses. According to Garganera, the use of these buses used to be free during the previous administration but is now charged with P3,000 to P4,000.

Guardo threatened to file criminal charges against the mayor if he realigns the funds intended for the honoraria of the barangay workers whose services he ordered terminated.

The opposition councilors also vowed to block Osmeña's plan create a Barangay Mayor's Office in every barangay. They claimed it is illegal.

According to them, their visit to the barangays is also a way of thanking the people for their support in the last elections.

"Usa sad na sa atong rason nganong nag forum ta kay para magpasalamat ta nila and also to address their issues whether in their barangay or all about the assistance from the city," Garcia said. (FREEMAN)