Off-site session gives brgys venue to raise concerns

CEBU, Philippines - The second off-site session of the Cebu City Council held in Barangay Guba yesterday provided the opportunity for other barangays in the North District to express their concerns on peace and order, dilapidated roads and lack of health facilities.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said the idea of an off-site session is producing better results than expected because the constituents in the mountain barangays are given another venue to be heard.

Immediately after the off-site session, the council held an open forum which was participated by the city councilors, former North District representative Raul del Mar and South District Representative Tomas Osmeña.

Councilor Nida Cabrera also distributed wireless amplifiers to the barangays which were purchased using her Local Development Fund share.

Officials from Barangays Binaliw, Agsungot, Paril, Cambinocot, Lusaran, Sirao, Adlaon, Mabini and Malubog were also present, aside from the host Barangay Guba, to observe the session.

Most of the barangays share the same sentiments over dilapidated roads in some areas which they have repeatedly reported to the city government for possible concreting but have not been acted upon.

Mayor Michael Rama has appropriated millions of pesos for road concreting in the mountain barangays under the Annual Budget, some of which have been awarded already and will start in no time.

Upland barangay officials also raised concern on the need for motorcycles at least for Talamban Police Station to increase the police visibility in the upland areas.

One official said the motorcycles will increase the mobility of the police to respond to crime reports in the hilly land.

The need for a health facility was also raised especially that the Guba Community Hospital remains not 100 percent functional because they have yet to secure a license to admit.

The hospital also lacks equipment which triggered the request to create a separate department that will manage the Guba Hospital.

Guba officials alleged that the medical equipment that are supposed to be for their hospital do not reach them because of the bureaucracy at the Cebu City Medical Center which has direct supervision on the hospital.

Other concerns raised were the condition of the schools in the mountain barangays which they said were not given equal attention by the Department of Education.

Osmeña promised to give barangay Guba P2 million to fund for the purchase of motorcycles and any project that will be needed by the barangay.

Del Mar on the other hand told barangay officials that P30 million worth of irrigation projects are underway which he said is now being worked on by her daughter, Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar.

The next off-site session may be held next year yet, said Young. — (FREEMAN)