CH warns public against fixers

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government advised its constituents to avoid dealing with fixers when processing their burial assistance.

Philip Zafra, Chief of Staff of Mayor Michael Rama, said the processing personnel for the Burial Assistance Program have been instructed to watch out for fixers after receiving complaints from some barangays.

During last Saturday’s meeting of barangay captains and the office of the Mayor, the issue was brought up again by Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares who complained that unscrupulous fixers lure their constituents to believe that the process will be hastened with their help, however, in exchange for a portion of the P10,000 financial assistance.

Monares appealed to city officials not to accommodate these fixers when they attempt to transact with the city government.

Zafra said they heard reports in the past that these fixers come from the barangays and are usually allowed to process burial transactions because the beneficiaries tag along with them.

Zafra said fixers reportedly ask P300 to P500.

“Unya, kabalo naman ta nga lisod gyud ang mamatyan, kuhaan pa gyud nila. So karon, mas strikto na gyud ta,” Zafra said.

Mayor Rama has relaxed the policy on the qualifications of beneficiaries where the city no longer requires that the deceased citizen is a registered voter of Cebu City for as long as the families can present proof that the deceased lives in Cebu City.

The claimants can present the birth certificate of the deceased or certification from the barangay.

The city’s burial assistance program provides P8,000 worth of burial services and P10,000 cash assistance.

Zafra announced that the city has awarded to San Fernando Funeral Homes the contract to supply 1,000 caskets plus burial services.

They bid out the burial services part of the assistance program based on the recommendation from the Commission on Audit.

The city government will resume the bidding of the assistance program once all 1,000 packages have been availed. — (FREEMAN)