CEBU, Philippines – Instead of the traditional cash assistance that the Cebu provincial government is giving out to fire victims, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia veers from the usual and de-cided to convert into infrastructure projects the P5 million cash assistance she earlier promised to Barangay T. Padilla.
Barangay Captain Michael Ralota and other T. Padilla officials yesterday paid Garcia a courtesy call at the Capitol.
Ralota said their meeting with Garcia was fruitful because the governor has promised to rehabilitate their streets and build a mini heritage park for the barangay. The budget will be taken from the P5 million cash assistance that the Capitol earlier promised to the barangay after the big fire last month.
"The governor will help rehabilitate sa karsada to blend to the Museo sa Sugbo and plans to put up heritage lamps and landscaping including Kalesa. Dili na cash ang ihatag but in a form of projects na," he said.
According to the governor, she is up to improve the ambiance of the area for accessibility to ensure safety, establish road right-of-way and cultural influence.
"I want the residents to be proud of their place and I think its right to achieve the heritage look," she said.
Aside from the heritage lighting and landscapes, there are also plans to build a skywalk and provide the area with proper drainage.
The materials of the said projects will be provided by the provincial government but the laborers will be coming from the barangay. Ralota explained that the projects of the governor will not interfere with that of the city because it is for the benefit of the constituents.
"I am from BOPK, the city is planning to restore the streets while the governor plans to develop the streets and I don't think so there will be problems with that kay help is not directly to the council but for the people. This is part of the improvement of the barangay, I don't think masuko ang city," he said.
Ralota, an architect by profession, said that he will do the plan and perspective of the project and present it to the governor for approval.
"I'll do the plan and the barangay will do the process as a counterpart of the project," he added. (FREEMAN)