Infra, security concerns raised in off-site session

CRACKED roads, inadequate hospital access, lack of police visibility and bookkeeping problems were among the concerns raised by north district barangay officials in yesterday’s on-site consultation with the Cebu City Council.

Residents and barangay officials spoke up  during the council’s off-site session  at the Guba sports center, the second such forum of the council.

Cambinocot barangay captain Cesario Doncillo complained that  bad roads make it difficult for farmers to bring  their produce to Carbon market.

Cebu City Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa pointed to boulders that fell on the left side of the Guba sports center following the Aug. 14 landslide.

More landslides may occur due to  rains since the center is located below a slope.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young told barangay officials that the council would find solutions to their problems.

He also denied Mayor Michael Rama’s claims that the off-site council sessions were used to bolster  political ties with barangay officials.

Young said he doesn’t want to refer to the forums  as “pulong-pulong” because the term has a “political connotation.”

“The council has to know what programs our constituents need,” he said.

Among those who spoke up were  Dr. Emmanuel Veloso,  administrator of the Guba field hospital.

He said the hospital, which  offers outpatient services to 15 other mountain barangays,  needs medical equipment to better serve the people.

Veloso proposed that Guba  be given its own funding from the city government.

The hospital is now operating an outpatient department after the Department of Health canceled its license to operate as a primary hospital due to inadequate facilities. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac