New ABC officials sworn into office

CEBU, Philippines - All newly-elected Association of Barangay Councils officials were sworn in to office before Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday.

Rama’s former chief-of-staff and incumbent Tisa barangay captain Philip Zafra, who won as ABC president, led the 12 other ABC officials in the oath taking ceremonies held inside the mayor’s office.

With Zafra were ABC vice president Tinago barangay captain Joel  Garganera, auditor Punta Princesa barangay captain Jose Navarro, and ABC board members Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman, Adlaon barangay captain Elvis Narra, Binaliw barangay captain Wilson Bacor, Poblacion Pardo barangay captain Althea Lim, Inayawan barangay captain Lutherlee “Lotlot” Ignacio-Soon, Agsungot barangay captain Noli Anne Alcover, San Roque barangay captain Lidiore “Boy” Miranda, Sudlon 1 barangay captain Dante Tabucal, Basak Pardo barangay captain Yolandito “Dodong” Cagang, and Quiot barangay captain Pancoy Espares.

In an interview after the oath taking ceremony, the ex-officio council member said his fresh term will focus on garbage collection, drainage and healthcare.

“Wala man ta’y specific gyud nga legislation. Ang ako lang nga we want the barangays to be involved on matters pertaining to drainage, garbage and healthcare among others,” Zafra told reporters.

In order to address solid waste management in the city, Zafra envisions a clustering of barangays and sharing of garbage collection equipment and manpower.

“We have agreed upon ourselves that in garbage and drainage we have to integrate the barangays, i-cluster nato nga magkatinabangay. Gani, by next week I have a planned meeting with the new DPS department head to start the ball rolling sa garbage collection kay gusto namo nga ma-involve, ma-inventory pila kabuok garbage trucks ang available sa tanang barangays. Pilay naa sa DPS,” the ABC president explained.

Apart from inventory of garbage trucks, Zafra’s administration also plans to look into the waste segregation and the capacity of each barangay in terms of garbage collection.

The inventory, he added, will determine the type of clustering that will be implemented.

The system of clustering has been tried in test areas in Cebu City during the time of former Department of Public Services head Rodolfo Gualiza, he recalled.

“Kung tulo ka barangays atong i-cluster. For example, Punta (Princesa), Labangon ug Tisa. Monday ug Thursday, Tisa. Kung naay kinse kabuok trucks, syaro dili mahurot tanang basura. Tuesday ug Friday, Punta. Wednesday ug Saturday, Labangon. Sunday, maintenance,” Zafra said.

Meanwhile, Zafra said he will convene the council “immediately after” the oath taking to pass a resolution for the proper turnover of records and facilities from the former ABC president Michael Ralota who has yet to meet with the new ABC top official since the election last month.

“Immediately after the oath taking, we will convene to pass a resolution requesting Ralota to conduct a formal turnover of all financial properties, records, everything as far as ABC is concerned. Naay namayad before the elections. Naa say nag-promissory notes. Murag 14 barangays ang ni-execute og promissory note. I don’t know if nakabayad na ba tanan,” Zafra said referring to the P25,000 monthly dues of each barangay to the ABC.

On top of the P25,000 monthly dues, each barangay is also required to give the barangay share of the Internal Revenue Allotment.

Zafra, however, said that some of Ralota’s staff members turned over a laptop and iPad units but other records, particularly on financial matters, have yet to be transferred to his custody.

Moreover, the City Council has also yet to formally recognize Zafra as its newest member.

“Per query from Atty. Almendras (of DILG Cebu City), okay na to. Immediately after the elections, when results have been transmitted to the liga, good as I am the new ABC president,” he said.

Zafra has also yet to pay Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella a courtesy call to discuss his formal recognition as an ex-officio council member.

The mayor’s former aide defeated Capitol site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon, getting 54 votes over Guanzon’s 22 during last month’s ABC elections. - /BRP (FREEMAN)