Gwen vows fairness in dealing with brgys

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia promised yesterday to be impartial in the prioritization of Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) resolutions.

At yesterday’s ABC General Assembly, the governor said, the Capitol will prioritize measures that are in consonance with the basic needs of the constituents.

“Paningkamutan gyud nato na kato’ng mas gikinahanglan sa mas daghan nga katawhan sa barangay mao ato’ng matubag," she said.

Among of the priority projects and programs are daycare and healthcare centers, barangay roads, level III water system, electrification, multi-purpose pavements, and covered courts.

Aside from infrastructure projects, Garcia said, her administration also supports socio-cultural activities.

Garcia has assured all barangay captains that the Capitol will grant each barangay P50,000 for the preservation of culture and tradition.

"Dili baya kaayo dako. Apan inyong kasaligan ang tanan matagaan," she said.

Cebu has 1,109 barangays.

Garcia said the barangay resolutions will also be checked by engineer Adolfo Quiroga of the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

ABC President Celestino "Tining" Martinez said the association approves and endorses barangay resolutions to Capitol regardless of political affiliation.

“Our main priority is barangay projects. It’s not about politics,” he said.

Moreover, Garcia also promised to provide insurance coverage for barangay workers and barangay officials and to increase the year-end incentives of barangay workers.

In the past years, frontline barangay workers, such as health workers, nutrition scholars, day care center volunteers and animal health aides receive P2,400 as year-end incentives, while barangay tanods (village watchmen) receive P1,500.

Garcia is eyeing to increase the incentives to P4,000 for the frontline barangay workers and P3,000 for the tanods.

Also, she said the Capitol will distribute P100,000 bonus to the barangays before the year ends.

The general assembly was attended by 962 barangay captains. — KBQ (FREEMAN)