Garcia denies politics in barangay cash assistance

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia denied playing favorites in the distribution of cash assistance to the barangays and challenged the opposition to "check their facts" before making accusations.

During the flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Garcia announced that 22 more barangays had received their respective P5 million cash assistance, bringing the total to 60 out of the city's 80 barangays. He emphasized that a systematic selection method is in place to determine the order in which barangays receive the assistance.

“Can you imagine pila gud kabuok diha ang akong gihatagan nga nidagan sa pikas kampo?” said Garcia.

Garcia cited examples of barangay captains running for councilor under the Partido Barug banner, including Rex Millan of Kalubihan, Novie Abella of Duljo Fatima, and Harry Iran of Cogon Pardo. He also highlighted that Sisinio Andales, the Barangay Captain of Pahina Central, who is affiliated with the opposing Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), received the assistance.

His primary concern, Garcia noted, is whether the city government can complete disbursements before March 28, 2025, when the ban on releasing public funds takes effect.

According to Garcia, the barangays that have already received financial assistance were those that complied with the necessary requirements, such as submitting project proposals.

“They have to come to me and let me sign unsa ilang project proposal. Kay ako pa man na tan-awon kung musubay ba na sa akong executive order on the guidelines on how to use the P5 million,” Garcia explained.

The mayor outlined that the cash assistance is strictly for infrastructure projects and cannot be used for Job Orders or employee-related expenses.

“So wa gyud ni pili. No playing favorites gyud ni atoa,” he asserted.

As of last week, half of the city's barangays had already received the P5 million assistance, while the rest risk missing the deadline due to the upcoming election ban if they fail to comply with the requirements. These requirements include a project proposal, a barangay resolution for proposed projects, a utilization report of the 2023 barangay financial assistance, an affidavit of undertaking, and a certificate of non-utilization of funds.

In response to allegations that the cash assistance was tied to a precondition for barangay captains to change political alliances, Garcia dismissed the claims, noting that these captains had already filed their respective Certificates of Candidacy.

Garcia also addressed accusations that the distribution activities resembled campaign sorties, with personnel wearing clothing embroidered with his name and in his political colors.

“Let them name names, let them show me names first,” said Garcia.

“Kay lisod kaayo ning ingon ani uy nga you just claim without concrete evidence,” he added.

Garcia compared the situation to previous allegations about rice distribution allegedly charged against disaster funds without a state of calamity declaration. He clarified that the program was under the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

The administration recently faced scrutiny from the Cebu City Council over the distribution of sacks of rice in Duljo Fatima, allegedly charged against the calamity fund and purportedly used for campaigning.

“Check your facts before you open your mouth,” Garcia stressed, underscoring the importance of factual accuracy over political interests. — (FREEMAN)