Half of city barangays risk losing ?5 million subsidy

CEBU, Philippines — While half of the barangays in the city have already received their ?5 million from the city government, the other half is still in limbo, as they risk lapsing into the disbursement ban period in line with the election if they do not comply with the requirements.

The barangays that were able to receive their subsidies include Sto. Niño, San Roque, Taptap, Hippodromo, Pulangbato, Babag, Guadalupe, Ermita, Zapatera, Sta. Cruz, Malubog, Sambag Uno, Sudlon Dos, Binaliw, Pamutan, Bulacao, Pasil, Sawang Calero, Banilad, Sambag Dos, Pit-Os, and Ramos.

In addition to these, the barangays of Sirao, Tejero, Tabunan, Agsungot, Boot, Budlaan, Day-as, Parian, Sapangdako, Sinsin, Talamban, Kamagayan, Sudlon Uno, Adlaon, Basak-Pardo, Pahina-San Nicolas, and Pung-ol Sibugay have also received their subsidy.

The requirements needed to qualify for the subsidy include a project proposal, a barangay resolution for their proposed projects, a utilization report of barangay financial assistance for 2023, and an affidavit of undertaking.

They are also required to submit a certificate of non-utilization of funds.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the total budget allocated for the subsidies is about ?400 million, intended for the city’s 80 barangays. Currently, only half of the barangays have received the subsidy, as they were the first ones to submit the required documents.

Garcia emphasized that the two major components the barangays need to comply with are the project proposal to ensure that the utilization aligns with the guidelines mandated by the Local Government Code.

He added that the utilization report of the previous subsidy must also be submitted. These subsidies will be charged against the 2025 General Fund.

For the other barangays that weren’t able to comply, Garcia stressed the importance of submitting the requirements as soon as possible to avoid the Comelec ban on the disbursement of public funds.

Garcia assured that the implementation of these subsidies will be properly monitored by the Barangay Affairs Office to ensure proper enforcement.

For those barangays not able to get it, the ?5-million subsidy will be available again after the elections. — (FREEMAN)