Councilmen want seat in ABC Board

CEBU, Philippines - The Barangay Councilor’s League of the Philippines is asking the Association of Barangay Councils to grant their president a permanent seat in the ABC Board as ex-officio member.

This as former Cebu City North District congressman Raul del Mar also supported the move of the BCLP, which is composed of 560 barangay councilmen of the 80 barangays in the city.

Del Mar, who was one of the guests during the strategic planning conducted by the Human Resources Development of Cebu City Hall yesterday, said the BCLP should have a voice in the ABC for better progress and development in the barangays.

“Kinahanglan naa mo’y representative kay dili ra man na Association of Barangay Captains kun dili Association of Barangay Councils,” Del Mar said.

Barangay councilmen Jonilo Yap and Joel Sadaya, who proposed passing a resolution, said if they have representation in the ABC, more development and projects will be served.

“There is a need for the ABC Board to have at least one representation coming from the BCLP…to foster unity and cooperation among the 560 barangay councilors and 80 barangay captains,” they said.

In the strategic planning, the BCLP also asked Mayor Michael Rama to continue extending financial assistance to the organization for the barangay sports development and promotion for barangays and other services and activities.

The BCLP is headed by Kasambagan barangay councilman Franklyn Ong.

Ong said that Rep. Tomas Osmeña already pledged financial assistance to the BCLP for sports development and promotion.

Last July 8, 2008, the BCLP and the Cebu City government entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for the granting of financial assistance in the amount of P3,000,000 to the BCLP for its barangay sports development and promotion. (FREEMAN)