Ramirez rants no more, honors Capitol’s help

CEBU, Philippines - Despite rants over Capitol’s alleged favoritism in the distribution of relief assistance to victims of super typhoon Yolanda in the north, Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez has given the provincial government a plaque of appreciation.

“Municipality of Medellin presents this Plaque of Appreciation to Cebu Provincial Government. Our gratitude for your financial assistance and relief goods for Medellin after super typhoon Yolanda,” Ramirez stated on the plaque.

Ramirez, in a phone interview, explained that the town has recognized during the town’s fiesta celebration last April 26 and 27 all those who have extended relief efforts to the municipality.

Although he has complaints against the Capitol, Ramirez admitted that he could not deny the fact that the provincial government has extended help.

“Tanang mga mitabang namo among gipasidunggan. Giapil namo ang kapitolyo kay mihatag man pod sila. Ang Cebu City man gani pod nga mihatag og one million pesos,” he told The Freeman.

This does not, however, mean that he would withdraw his complaints against the Capitol for allegedly being ‘unfair’ and committing ‘discrepancy’ in the distribution of relief goods in northern Cebu towns.

In fact, Ramirez said he already sought the help of the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct an investigation into his complaints.

Ramirez accused Capitol of being ‘unfair’ for favoring only administration-allied towns. He said that the team distributing relief goods from Capitol skipped his town and went straight to Daanbantayan and Bogo City.

The mayors in Bogo City and the towns of San  Remigio and Daanbantayan are allies with the Liberal Party.  Ramirez is a member of the One Cebu Party.

Ramirez claimed that while Capitol mentioned that 30,000 packs of relief goods were given to Medellin, only 18,000 packs were actually received by the municipality. He also claimed that on November 10 only 50 sacks of assorted canned goods and bottled water for 750 families were distributed in Medellin when the town needed at least 10,000. — (FREEMAN)