For barangay officials Cash incentives out today

CEBU, Philippines - The cash incentives for barangay officials amounting to P7 million will be released today, Mayor Michael Rama announced during the general assembly of the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines (BCLP) Tuesday.

“I know some of  you are already asking for your incentives, so you can have it on Thursday (today),” Rama announced that night.

Barangay captains will receive P10,000 while barangay councilors will receive P3,000. Meanwhile, barangay treasurers and secretaries will receive P2,000 representing October and December, but the amount is subject 10-percent withholding  tax.

Cebu City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the incentive for December is yet to be given because they still have to determine if the newly - elected barangay officials will qualify for it.

The P14 million cash incentive for barangay officials was released recently to complete the allocation for the second and third quarters of this year. The first distribution was done last March releasing P30,000 for the barangay captains; P18,000 for the barangay council members; and P12,000 each for barangay secretaries and treasurers.

Incentives covering the period from April to September were distributed a week before the October 28 barangay elections, which included P5,000 for barangay captains; P3,000 for barangay councilors; and P2,000 for treasurers and secretaries.

Meanwhile, the BCLP election has been set on January 11 after council leaders pushed for election during the first general assembly after this year’s barangay election.

Number one Kamputhaw Councilor Raymond Garcia who  is running for BCLP president has pushed for an earlier election, explaining that the councilmen need proper representation.

Outgoing BCLP President Franklin Ong who is running for another term, said the said election will be held on January to be able to participate on the BCLP national election.

“Wala’y holdover, normally January man gyod ang election because di pwede mo go later kay gumikan sa national election sa BCLP,” Ong said.

In 2010, the BCLP election was held on Febuary 12.

BCLP has still unused amount close to P100,000 from the P3 million cash assistance of the city government in 2012 and P6 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of then Cebu City mayor and congressman Tomas Osmeña.

Councilors who are allies of Team Rama and who are running for BCLP are Garcia for President, Litoy Ceniza for Executive Vice-President, Eugen Tabas for Vice-President South, Yody Sanches for Vice-President North, Grace Baquero for Secretary, Maria Pino for Treasurer, David Agravante for Auditor and Gerry Auxilio Jr. for Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.).

Councilors who are running for Board Members for the south district are Gena Cabantug, Jojo Perralta, Richard Buscaino and Anne Vestil Palomo. For the North district are Troy Tan, Bradex Flores, Frank “Kukoy” Gajudo and Lino Bontilao.

Allies of Team Rama will face Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) —backed Ong for President (Kasambagan), Helen Francisco for EVP (Carreta), Manolita Abarquez for VP South (Poblacion Pardo), Rex Millan for VP North, Garry Lao for Secretary (Tejero), Joan Babayson for Treasurer (Lorega), Raffy Briones for Auditor (Tinago) and Malou Tabar for P.R.O. (Banilad).

Candidates for Board of Directors in the south district are Harry Cañete (Guadalupe), atty. Noel Bacalla (Calamba), Arlene Montejo (Sudlon 2) and Zenaida Amorez (Labangon). For South district are Aking Ruiz (Mabolo), Nelson Archicval (Talamban), Keith Noel Wenceslao (Sambag 2) and Ester Erma (Agsungot).

Rama told his candidates: “Don’t miss that opportunity to give meaning to the word service which is service above self.” – (FREEMAN)