7 brgys soon to get help for projects from City Hall
Seven of the 16 barangays whose financial aid from Cebu City Hall was disallowed by the Commission on Audit due to the lack of council authority will soon get another financial assistance.
But this time, the city government wants to do it right by seeking City Council approval.
The council committee on budget and finance has finished scrutinizing the P469-million supplemental budget proposal, which include aid to barangays yesterday.
Committee chairman Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña and members Councilors Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Alvin Arcilla and Sisinio Andales have no objection as each of the barangays had submitted documents detailing the project proposals.
These barangays are Buhisan, Capitol Site, Cogon Ramos, Kinasang-an, Pahina Central, Talamban, and Tejero.
Of the P469 million, P58 million is intended for the seven barangays.
Barangays Buhisan, Capitol Site, Cogon Ramos, Kinasang-an, Pahina Central and Tejero requested for P8 million each while Talamban asked for P10 million.
These are among the 16 barangays that returned their respective financial aid after COA issued a notice of disallowance to the city in 2015.
During the term of former mayor Michael Rama, COA disallowed the financial aid for various projects due to the lack of authorization from the city council.
The other nine barangays are Banilad, Busay, Kalubihan, Kasambagan, Luz, Mabini, Mabolo, Mambaling, and Sto. Niño.
Osmeña said only seven have submitted their project proposal to the city which include purchase garbage truck, road rehabilitation, lot acquisition for public school building, procurement of mini dump truck, garbage truck and closed-circuit television system.
The rest of the barangays can still submit their proposals but it will be included in the next supplemental budget.
Meanwhile, Cebu City’s Peace and Order Program (POP) is asking for P8.2 million intended for the honoraria of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) personnel.
POP chief Kevin Cryster Paz told reporters that the amount is intended for the months of June to December 2018.
Record shows that there are at least 196 security volunteers and each of them is receiving a P5, 000 monthly allowances from the city government.
According to Paz, they requested for a supplemental budget because their P5 million annual budget is expected to be fully utilized at the end of the month.
During yesterday’s budget hearing, the members of the committee asked Paz to explain the duties and responsibilities of the BPAT personnel.
He said that the security volunteers will work hand in hand with barangay tanods and the police in maintaining peace and order.
“Actually ang atong gitawag og security volunteer is augmentation sa atong security nga needed additional security personnel sa establishment owned by the city government,” Paz said.
Volunteers are required to submit a daily accomplishment report which is the basis for the release of their monthly allowances.
The proposed supplemental budget of POP is still subject for final deliberation. —
Leyson/MBG
Odessa O.