Mayor resumes playing Santa to city barangays

Rama to hand over checks of P5 million to Cebu city barangays this weekend

At least 20 barangays will each receive  P5-million cash assistance from the Cebu city government over the weekend.

City Treasure Diwa Cuevas said an initial 20 barangays will get their assistance in the first  wave  of distribution.

“I will be going to the barangays. It is just like Santa Claus is coming to town in advance. I would like to have it turned over,” Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said in a press conference yesterday.

Barangays Pit-os, Pulangbato, Binaliw, Pasil, Budlaan, Sta. Cruz, Parian, San Jose and Luz will receive their assistance today.

Tomorrow is the turn of  barangays Agsungot, Bacayan, Bonbon, Buot, Taptap, Sinsin, Pung-ol Sibugay, San Antonio, Pahina Central and Pahina San Nicolas.

Barangay Carreta already received their share last weekend.

Other barangays  still have to liquidate the financial assistance they received in previous years before they can avail of their cash assistance.

The  assistance will be taken from the P800-million outlay for aid to the barangays in the city’s annual budget this year.

Under the appropriation ordinance of the City Council , each barangay is supposed to receive  P10 million but the mayor vetoed it.

He said he wants the amount to be based on the barangay’s size and needs.

Rama said the city administraiton has already consulted  each barangay, and agreed on  the amount to be received.

According to the City Budget Office, 20 barangays will receive P10 million each, 30 barangays will get P8 million each and 30 villages will get P6 million each.

In his visit to the barangays this weekend, Rama said he would look into  the needs of each  barangay and that  Team Rama candidates may accompany him.

“If people hear there’s a  a distribution, they take advantage if they know where I will be. This is not about being naive. The political season already started months ago,” he said.