22 barangays get P106M in aid

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government released over P106 million in financial assistance to 22 barangays yesterday representing their financial assistance for this year sourced from the P400-million Local Development Fund.

The barangays that received their assistance yesterday were barangays Babag, Sambag 1, Cogon-Pardo, Agsungot, Carreta, Apas, Lahug, Zapatera, Sapangdaku and Busay.

The checks for the financial assistance of barangays Kamputhaw, Tinago, Mambaling, Bulacao, Quiot, Guba, Sto. Niño, San Roque, Pahina Central, Bacayan, San Jose, Pasil and Malubog are ready, but no official from the respective barangays has gone to City Hall to claim the assistance.

They may claim the assistance, eyed for various infrastructure projects, anytime.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, whose office facilitated the release of the assistance for the barangays, said the city has released financial assistance to 80 percent of Cebu City’s barangays.

“Only 20 percent of the barangays have not received their assistance. Some barangays are still complying with the requirements. There are also few that will not receive their assistance this year,” Daluz said.

The barangays unlikely to receive their assistance this year include barangays Kalunasan and Poblacion Pardo.

Daluz said these barangays are just two of those having a hard time liquidating their 2010 assistance.

“If you can recall the controversial Arante case, naapil sila ato,” he said.

In 2010, former Mayor now Representative Tomas Osmeña ordered an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of projects in the barangays.  The issue was brought to the attention of the Ombudsman that is now investigating the case.

Daluz said the projects have pending liquidation required by the Commission on Audit. He said the incumbent barangay officials are having a hard time fixing the mess of the previous administration.  — /BRP (FREEMAN)