CEBU, Philippines - The Comelec office in Mandaue City needs P1.6 million in financial aid from the city government to cover the expenses in the October 28 barangay elections.
Comelec registrar Anna Fleur Guijilde said the P10,000 financial assistance from barangays is not enough to cover the expenses.
She said her office needs additional funds for additional allowance and transportation fare of Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) and meal and gas allowance of policemen.
The transportation allowance for each BEI is P500 and an allowance of P300.
There are about 1,551 BEI from 515 clustered precincts.
However, the financial aid that the city plans to extend to Comelec will probably be released by November yet.
However, she also hopes that the P200,000 for the police will be released early.
Gujilde said only the gas and meal of policemen will be covered by the P200,000.
As of yesterday noon, 10 candidates for barangay captain and 87 candidates for barangay councilor have already filed their certificates of candidacy.
In the Comelec’s record, only one incumbent barangay captain has filed his COC. He is Dionisio Villamor from barangay Bakilid.
Meanwhile, city director Senior Supt. Petronelli Baldebrin of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) said public assistance centers will be put up in barangays Central, Banilad, Subangdaku, Paknaan, Maguikay, Labogon, and Opao on account of the number of voters. (FREEMAN)