Compostela gets equipment, personnel to continue services

CEBU, Philippines - A grade operator, spotter and mini dump truck are among the equipment the provincial government will provide Compostela to help facilitate the delivery of basic services there while the town awaits its officials.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia granted the assistance after a meeting with the town’s barangay captains, councilmen, and Department of Interior and Local Governor Regional Director Pedro Noval, Jr., the acting mayor.

Nine barangay captains and 10 councilmen from the town’s 17 barangays attended the meeting.

The governor also agreed to provide a driver and helper for the dump truck, as well as an ambulance driver and an additional nurse for the town’s birthing homes.

The delivery of basic services in Compostela was affected after the Commission on Elections disallowed its newly-elected officials to assume office pending a protest.

During the meeting, Poblacion Barangay Captain Rachel Cañada said it is difficult to collect garbage thoroughly from around town because they only have 13 personnel, three of whom attend to the market and slaughterhouse. All of the 13 are job-order employees.

“Ang thirteen workers wala ma-renew hangtod karon but sila gihapon ang nagtrabaho. Nidawat nalang sila anang P75 per day,” she said.

As mandated by law, only the governor and not the acting mayor can hire additional employees for the town. Noval then suggested that the province provide the town a new dump truck to augment the existing two trucks.

Noval also asked that an artesian well be built in the town to provide water for the market and slaughterhouse, but Garcia said she will have Capitol’s engineering department to undertake the project under the province’s infrastructure initiatives. 

Police S/Supt. Erson Digal who also attended the meeting said he will assign additional police officers in Compostela to maintain peace and order, as well as traffic enforcers.

The governor appreciated the efforts and the cooperation of the barangay officials in the town despite the fact that they are facing sensitive issues.

“Nalipay ko sa gipakita nga tinabangay despite the fact nga sensitive ang issue. We will continue to help and continue to challenge you. Mutabang mi kung asa mi pwede makatabang ninyo,” she said. (THE FREEMAN)