CEBU, Philippines - Concerned over several incidents in Cebu City where barangay tanods were shot and injured while in the pursuit of criminals, Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. has proposed a P1,000 monthly allowance from the provincial government for each tanod in the province.
Sanchez, who is seeking a third term as vice governor, said the barangay tanods are putting their lives on the line despite a very minimal compensation from the barangay.
“Risgo kaayo ang kinabuhi sa mga tanod,” Sanchez stressed.
With this, he proposed that the provincial government gives the more than 10,000 tanods in the province a P1,000 allowance every month. He however said the proposal may be realized only if he and his runningmate, former Cebu City Councilor Hilario Davide III, are given the mandate to run the provincial government.
Few days ago, a tanod from Barangay Camputhaw in Cebu City was shot while chasing a suspected robber. Another tanod, Danilo Cabaluna of Barangay Basak-Pardo remains in critical condition after he was also shot by three fleeing jeepney robbers.
Cabaluna was trying to arrest the suspects when he was shot to the head.
Sanchez said his team-up with Davide will give the Cebuanos a “program-based politics” wherein local government units will be empowered to plan and execute.
Likewise, he said they will give the LGUs the opportunity to implement the projects of the province based on the needs of the municipality and component city.
He also envisioned a farmers’ demonstration farm for the province and provide the farmers training in organic farming. — Fred P. Laguido/WAB FREEMAN NEWS)