Zafra: ABC to unite barangays in city

CEBU, Philippines - Newly elected Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Philip Zafra of Barangay Tisa said he will reach out to other barangay captains in the city no matter the political affiliation.

“Kay kami tanan representative mi sa mga tawo. Dako mi og tulubagon sa mga tawo (We are all representatives of the people. We are answerable to the people),” Zafra said.

Despite their political differences, Zafra said he is optimistic that the other barangay captains will support his administration. Zafra is an ally of Mayor Michael Rama.

Zafra said one of his priorities is to build a stronger connection among barangays so that the ABC can assist barangay officials easily in managing their respective barangays.

One way to reach out to the barangays, he said, is to hold ABC meetings in different barangays instead of holding it at the ABC building at the South Road Properties all the time.

“Mobisita gyud mi sa barangay. Tan-awon namo ilang kahimtang para mahibaw-an namo ilang kuwang (We will visit the barangays. We will look at the conditions there so we will know what their problems are),” Zafra said.

“Gusto ni Mayor (Rama) nga atong mga barangay captains will act as little mayor in their respective jurisdiction,” he said.

This means that barangay officials will focus on problems in their barangays while city officials will address the bigger problems that concern the city as a whole.

On a separate issue, Zafra said the barangay captains who are yet to pay their yearly dues have reportedly executed promissory notes prior to the 2013 barangay elections.

“Hopeful ta nga kaning tanan, madawat na sa ABC ug ang tanan mohatag na kay kaning ABC dili mani para sa pipila lang kundi sa kinatibuk-ang association (We are hopeful that they will pay their dues because the ABC is for everyone involved in the organization),” Zafra explained.  (FREEMAN)