Barangay captains in Mandaue choose better roads over P1 million

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay captains in Mandaue City would give up the P1 million they expect to get from the Annual Investment Plan for the sake of having better roads.

Last Thursday, the Mandaue City Development Council adopted a resolution realigning P27 million of barangay funds for the immediate rehabilitation of roads in the city.

Another P10 million in excess fund from the asphalting of the approaches of the recently inaugurated Cabancalan-Canduman road was also realigned for the same purpose.

City Engineer Antonio Sanchez said P15 million was released for the asphalting of the approaches of the bridge. However, only P5 million was used to complete the project, adding that the surplus should be used for the rehabilitation of the city roads.

In view of this, a total of P37 million is available for this project.

Barangay Ibabao-Estancia Captain Carmelino del Mar, Jr. said they have seen the wisdom of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes for the immediate rehabilitation of the city’s roads.

And since the city lacks the necessary funds, they volunteered to sacrifice the P1million fund released earlier by the mayor to each barangay for their annual investment plan.

Twenty percent of the annual budget of P700 million automatically goes to the Annual Investment Plan of the city.

Barangay Paknaan Captain Oscar Mendoza seconded the motion of del Mar.

The members of the council include all the 27 barangay captains, some department heads, and some non-government organizations.

Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (6th district) who is also a member of the council sent her representative to the meeting.

All barangay captains were present except Joy Ouano of barangay Opao.

Zaldy Lumapas of barangay Umapad and Walter Dy of barangay Subangdaku also sent representatives.

City administrator Briccio Boholst who presided over the meeting in behalf of the mayor who is the council chairman, said a resolution will be presented to the city council for adoption which he said is ceremonial in nature.

Boholst said he believes the road rehabilitation will soon be done before the deadline on the ban on projects. – Flor Z. Perolina (THE FREEMAN)