CH lawyers convene for release of P5 million aid

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Legal Office lawyers have convened yesterday to look into the immediate release of the P5-million financial assistance to barangays, even if there are impending issues.

City Legal Officer Rey Gealon said some barangay captains assumed office but had issues of unliquidated cash advances from the barangay captains whom they have either replaced or succeeded.

Gealon said Mayor Edgardo Labella has instructed that the P5-million financial assistance has to be released to them without delay.

“We are taking legal measures to release the fund vis-a-vis strengthening our legal position on the matter,” said Gealon.

Labella earlier announced that the 46 remaining barangays would receive the assistance.

Of the 80 barangays, 34 were already issued checks by the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO).

Lawyer Jerone Castillo of the CTO, in a previous interview, said that the barangay captains who failed to liquidate the financial assistance they previously received are required to execute an affidavit of undertaking.

Labella earlier said that he decided to withhold the P5-million aid to the barangays that failed to liquidate the financial aid they received in the previous years.

He said the P5-million financial assistance is intended for the purchase of garbage trucks in order for the barangays to have an efficient garbage collection.

“The mayor is serious in releasing the assistance considering that this will be used in combating the garbage woes of the city, in compliance with RA 9003 otherwise known as “The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” among other standing laws and regulations,” said Gealon.  GAN (FREEMAN)