Four barangays to receive P5 million in aid

CEBU, Philippines — At least four of the 80 barangays will soon get P5 million each in financial assistance from the Cebu City government after the City Council approved the release of the aid.

The recipient barangays include Sawang Calero, Buot, Paril, and Labangon.

The separate resolutions were authored by the Association of Barangay Councils President Franklyn Ong, who also sits as an ex-officio member of the City Council.

“Section 4.3 of C. O. 2518 (General Fund Proper) states that the financial assistance to north and south district barangays amounting to P400 million shall be given as financial assistance to the 80 barangays at P5 million each,” read a portion of the resolution.

The four resolutions were approved during the regular session of the City Council last March 26, 2019.

Ong said he will continue to author resolutions authorizing the mayor to sign the memorandum of agreements with barangay officials for the P5-million aid.

However, the city is not allowed to disburse the funds to these barangays since there is an election ban prohibiting the city to disburse funds unless there’s an exemption, he said.

Ong added all barangays will receive their share if they will follow all requirements like the passage of barangay resolutions, among others.

“These are the barangays that do not have unliquidated financial assistance. Those barangays that are still processing their liquidations may still get their assistance as long as they will attach their supporting documents,” he said.

Ong is referring to the previous disallowance of the Commission on Audit on the P800-million aid to the 80 barangays during the previous administration, adding that some of the barangays have already returned and liquidated their aid.

For Barangay Sawang Calero, the barangay will use the P5 million to purchase garbage truck at P3.5 million and the P1.5 million will be used for the installation, repair and rehabilitation of CCTV camera and accessories.

Barangay Paril will use P1 million for the improvement of the Paril cemetery, P1 million for lot acquisition for its market, P1.3 million for the lot acquisition and construction of a chapel, P800,000 for purchase of an L300 van, P700,000 for the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras, and P200,000 for construction of drainage.

For Barangay Buot, the barangay will purchase P4.2 million mini coaster, P300,000 for the sound system, and P500,000 for the purchase of monoblock chairs, tables, and tent.

Barangay Labangon, for its part, will use the P5 million to install CCTV cameras and accessories at P1 million and the remaining P4 million will be used for the construction of a new multipurpose building.

Ong said the release of the financial assistance is not electioneering because the budget is already part of the P8.1 billion Annual Budget this year. —/GAN (FREEMAN)