Team Rama bares BCLP plans

CEBU, Philippines - Days before the election of the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines (BCLP)- Cebu City chapter, Team Rama bared its action plan with five priority items, which includes an accounting of the P9M BCLP fund of the previous administration.

Team Rama's Raymond Alvin Garcia, councilman of Barangay Kamputhaw, said their action plan will give tangible benefits to the 560 councilors from the city's 80 barangays.

Garcia made the announcement during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

Since barangay officials are in the frontlines in the delivery of basic services, Garcia said BCLP will ask Mayor Michael Rama to increase the monthly allowances of all barangay officials in the city, not just the allowances of councilors.

Garcia said Team Rama will also organize a legal team with at least 10 lawyers that will assist barangay officials on legal matters in relation to their duties. Garcia said to hire the services of a lawyer is expensive enough, thus, the pro bono service of the legal team will help barangay officials greatly.

Also, BCLP will make arrangements with private hospitals that would make it possible for barangay officials to choose where to spend the P25,000 hospitalization aid from the city government. At present, the aid can only be availed at the Cebu City Medical Center.

Garcia said Team Rama will also work on the BCLP identification card, which will also serve as a health card for the city's 560 barangay councilmen.

Lastly, Garcia said Team Rama would want to address the "communication gap" between the BCLP members and the previous officials.

Garcia said he has been receiving complaints that BCLP members remained unaware of what their officials are doing or where they are going.

If Team Rama bets will be elected, Garcia said they will make sure that a quarterly report of the officials' activities will be issued in the form of a newsletter. The report will also contain the breakdown of expenses of BCLP funds.

"We will augment the benefits, we are not members of GSIS, bisan makatabang nalang og gamay sa mga members," Garcia said.

The BCLP election is set on Saturday, January 11. — (FREEMAN)