CEBU, Philippines - The city government yesterday distributed P1 million worth of collapsible tents to 20 urban barangays of the city’s north district except barangays Lahug and Sambag 1 whose captains - Mary Ann delos Santos and Jerry Guardo - are known critics of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
Delos Santos and Guardo are members of the opposition group Kugi Uswag Sugbu headed by Osmeña’s archrival former mayor Alvin Garcia.
Delos Santos said she was no longer surprised that Lahug was spared while Guardo said the tents are but ploys of the administration to get the support of the barangay officials come 2010 elections.
Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., the one who initiated the project, however, said the city will not give tents to those that did not ask for them.
“Hatagan diay nato sila nga wala man mangayo?” Pe said.
The city gave two tents each to the 20 barangays and the barangay captains personally claimed the tents from City Hall yesterday. Each tent costs about P30,000.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama has directed barangay officials to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to formally stipulate their intent to take good care of the tents. The city has observed that the tents provided to the barangays before did not last long, as they were not even cleaned after use.
The tents are also being lent to Cebu City residents during funerals.
Rama said the city may still give tents to Lahug and Sambag-1 but they would not be coursed through the barangay captains. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)