CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Punta Princesa chief Jose Navarro has announced his intention to run as president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) next month.
Navarro expressed that it has been his vision to fulfill the goals of the barangay chiefs and councilmen that were not achieved during his two terms as ABC president, which he said was due to “politicking.â€
“I already have the experience. Naa nako’y daghang plano wa lang natuman kaniadto. Tungod sa politika napolihan ko. Tana by this time, naa na to. So, i-in place ang tanang plano karon,†Navarro said during yesterday’s 888 news forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
Navarro was ABC president during the time of former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia. He also served Punta Princesa as barangay captain for a total of 39 years while as a councilor for another nine years.
Navarro said if he becomes ABC president again, he hopes to push through with his plan to pursue the construction of a four-storey ABC building near the Cebu City hall and the Philippine National Bank (PNB).
“Sigurado na nga matukod ning building kay gi-assure ni sa PNB,†Navarro said, adding that the lot was already set aside for ABC under the proclamation of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
He said the first floor will be occupied by the PNB while the second floor would be used as the ABC office.
Apart from this, he said he will lobby for the construction of a commercial bank where revenues of all barangays will be directly deposited. He added that he will push for the increase of the honorarium for barangay officials.
Meanwhile, the newly elected barangay councilor of Camputhaw, Raymond Garcia, is still undecided if he would run as president for the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines.
Raymond, son of former Cebu City Mayor Garcia, won as the number one councilor of Barangay Camputhaw.
Mayor Rama said all winners of the recent barangay polls are welcome to seek election in December’s BCLP and ABC polls.
“Nobody will be stopped with their desire to run. It has always been my wish nga usa sa Team Rama ang modaog but they have to do it with strategy and circumspection. Garcia and Navarro are all Team Rama so okay kaayo,†Rama said. — (FREEMAN)