Most city brgys did not pay dues to ABC

CEBU, Philippines - Only nine out of the 80 barangays in Cebu City have paid its P25,000 annual dues to the Association of Barangay Councils.

ABC president Michael Ralota said most of the barangays have not given its share of their Internal Revenue Allotment to the association. While Ralota urged the barangay captains to cooperate by paying their dues to the ABC, the record shows that Barangay T. Padilla where he is the captain was among those who have not paid.

Based on the records, only Barangays Binaliw, Ermita, Lorega San Miguel, Lusaran, Mabini, Pulangbato, Sambag I, Bonbon and Pahina San Nicolas have settled their annual membership dues to the ABC.

Ralota said he needs the cooperation of the barangay captains to be able to cope with the operational expenses of their association. He said the ABC only has P709,000 in the bank, which is not enough to pay for the salaries of the employees and for operational expenses especially that the ABC needs P320,000 a month to pay 36 employees and another sum for utility bills.

Ralota said ABC can collect P8 million a year if all 80 barangays will pay their dues. The delay in the approval of the budget of the respective barangays has also contributed to the problem, Ralota said.

Based on the records, there are 21 barangays whose annual budgets this year have been approved late.

Since they have yet to receive payments from other barangays, the ABC has temporarily suspended the hospitalization and burial assistance to barangay officials and employees.