Barangay captains hurt over Ahong’s accusation

CEBU, Philippines — Several barangay captains in Lapu-Lapu City have strongly denied accusations hurled by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan that they did not cooperate in the listing of Typhoon Odette beneficiaries who are entitled to receive the P5,000 financial assistance from the national government.

Looc barangay captain Regina Ybañez said she herself has been away from her home for two days just to ensure all her constituents are safe during and after the typhoon.

“Unya ingnon lang ka walay nahimo ang mga kapitan? Seguro nakaingon siya nga wala mi nahimo kay walay mayor niduaw sa barangay Looc human sa bagyo. Walay mayor nangumusta og naunsa na ang barangay Looc,  kay wala siya masayod,” said Ybañez in a press conference yesterday which was attended by 14 other barangay captains.

Other barangay captains also expressed the same sentiments that barely three days after the typhoon, they already conducted a survey in their respective barangays as to how many houses were totally and partially damaged as basis for the P5,000 financial aid as per instruction by the City Social Welfare Division Office.

However, despite submission of the list of the beneficiaries, the lists they have submitted were not followed but instead the lists of the Barangay Mayor’s Office (BMO) were being followed.

The barangay captains said because of the conflicting lists, it’s them who got the ire of their respective constituents.

“Dili na siya tinuod nga wala mikooperar. Sa unang bahin pa lang, three days after sa bagyong Odette tanan mga barangay nag survey nami kay dunay nianha sa staff sa CSWDO nga mag survey mi sa totally ug partially kay dunay ihatag nga hinabang ang national. Gani pag December 22 almost all barangays naka submit nami sa mga names and numbers pila kabuok ang affected sa kada barangay. Sa wala pa na siya (mayor) nagmando, naka submit nami sa lista,” said Subabasbas barangay captain Joselito Tibon.

Gun-ob barangay captain Eleonor Fontanoza said she was dismayed by the mayor’s accusation.

“Dako kaayo nang bakak nga wala mi nahimo ug ni kooperar. Grabe among paglimbasog, wala na lay kwenta sa kakapoy. Sakit kaayo matirahan labi na pangitaan ka sa mga tawo asa ang ayuda nga giapil man sila sa lista,” said Fontanoza.

Majority of the barangay captains said that because of the conflicting list of beneficiaries-which is their own list and the BMO’s list, it resulted that some of those who were listed in the barangay as beneficiaries were not in the BMO list.

It ends up that the barangay captains and officials were accused by some of its constituents of pocketing the financial aid of the national government. — GMR (FREEMAN)