P100T insurance for barangay responders mulled

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia has promised the barangay-based fire responders a P100 accident insurance starting next year.

This is on top of the current P20,000 hospitalization benefit that they are entitled from the city government.

Garcia made the announcement during the general assembly of barangay responders at the Cebu City Sports Center the other day. Earlier, Garcia also increased their honorarium from P3,000 to P5,000.

The mayor said his announcement was expected to boost the morale of the barangay fire responders who are on the frontline of responding to fire emergencies.

"Gusto nako nga taas ang moral ninyo maong naningkamot gyud ko kutob sa mahimo nga mahatag ang inyong gikinahanglan,” Garcia said.

Garcia also added that he does not want the incident involving employees working without getting paid for almost a year to happen again under his watch.

“Kay dili ko gusto nga masubli ang nahitabo sa upat ka mga empleyado nga wala masweldohi og 10 ka buwan," he added.

The mayor was referring to the incident involving four employees at the City Assessor’s Office who were not given their salary for 10 months. The incident led to the preventive suspension of mayor Michael Rama and six other city officials by the Office of the Ombudsman.

During the said general assembly, Garcia also gave the 654 fire responders five kilos of rice as an advanced Christmas gift for them. He also expressed his thanks for the sacrifices and services rendered by these responders in times of calamities.

His critics, however, described Garcia’s actions as political posturing considering that he is running for mayor in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. –/FPL (FREEMAN)