Village chief notes 'politicking' during cash gift distribution

CEBU, Philippines – The Lapu-Lapu City government's distribution of cash gifts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities in different barangays already concluded over the weekend.

But Gun-ob Barangay Captain Jose Dungog, who is also the president of the city's Association of the Barangay Councils, found "politicking" in distribution of cash to the senior citizens and PWDs.

"Ang katong naa sa luyo sa linya, ipa-una. Mao may magubtan unya," Dungog said, referring to one of his colleagues in Barangay Gun-ob who he believed was accommodating favors.

He did not mention the name of his colleague, though.

Dungog said he advised his colleague not to do such advances as it will appear unfair to other senior citizen and PWDs lining up in their barangay hall early morning.

"Gibadlong na siya City Treasurer (sa iyahang gibuhat). Mao na'y makadaot mamolitika. Mangreklamo gyud ang mga tawo ana," Dungog said.

Based on their meeting with Mayor Paz Radaza and chapter heads of senior citizens and PWDs, Dungog said, the cash distribution should be done in the presence of the city treasury officials while the role of the barangays was to control its residents.

Four personnel under City Treasurer's Office were assigned in Barangay Gun-ob for the giving of cash gifts last Saturday.

Dungog said the distribution started 7 a.m. and ended around 10 in the evening.

He said in order that politicking will not happen again in Gun-ob and other barangays, they will continue to warn officials from doing such acts.

"Ang gisabutan sa mayor, apil na sa regulation ang pagpamadlong," he said.

Now that elections is near, Dungog said he plans to bring up the issue to the ABC members next year.

The senior citizens of the city receved P2,500 from the city government while residents with disabilities got P2,000.

The city's registry shows that there are a total of 19,400 senior citizens and 2,200 PWDs in Lapu-Lapu City. (FREEMAN)