ABC not expecting P5-million aid from Rama, looks to 2013 allocation

THE Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Cebu City may no longer be getting the P5 million assistance from Mayor Michael Rama this year, but wanted to make sure they get a bigger allocation than proposed in the 2013 budget.

But not all is lost as the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) dominated City Council moved to raise to at least P2.5-million the assistance to ABC from the P1-million appropriation in the proposed 2013 budget.

“It can be further increased depending on availability of funds,” said ABC president Michael Ralota.

Ralota broke this news to the ABC which had a Christmas party yesterday. In fact, he came late for the party in their office in the South Road Properties as he had to attend to the City Council budget hearing.

The City Council already completed their review of the mayor’s P6.7 billion budget proposal and is now in the process of consolidating amendments which they wanted introduced on the budget.

Councilor Margot Osmena, the council’s budget committee chairperson, said that the council intends to pass the 2013 budget before the year ends to prevent from re-enacting the 2012 budget next year.

Former north district congressman Raul Del Mar also attended the ABC party, where he made a pitch for his candidacy in the north district, currently held by his daughter Cutie Del Mar.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district who was also in the ABC gathering told reporters he would not mind of barangay captains would also attend gatherings organized by his political rival Mayor  Rama. A total of 48 barangay captains of the city’s 80 barangays attended the gathering yesterday.

He added he would not even seek an investigation on Rama for giving cash gifts to barangay captains.

“It’s not my style to question,” said Osmeña who added that he does not also intend to give out cash to buy loyalties.

But he said that he was always prepared to help allies if they would need his help in anyway./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac