Brgy. Cogon Ramos to get P14M from Tom, Del Mar

Barangay Cogon Ramos was promised enormous support for the implementation of its first Barangay Development Plan with Mayor Tomas Osmeña pledging to allocate P9 million in his last term of office and Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar promising to allocate P5 million for the next five years.

Wearing his political party's trademark yellow and blue colors, Osmeña attended the barangay's first general assembly and pledging day of the BDP held at the barangay's gymnasium and told residents there that he will allocate P3 million every during his last term as city mayor.

Osmeña said the BDP is reportedly the result of the best planning sessions he had seen in his many years as mayor. He said he does not easily shell out money, even for salary increases of his employees in city hall, unless the recipients are worth the allocation.

"If they want more pay, they have to earn it. And you have earned it that's why I give you my support," Osmeña said.

The mayor said the P9 million financial support for the next three years will be on top of the other minor allocations that the city will release to support smaller projects of the barangay.

Meanwhile, Del Mar also seemed convinced with the efforts of the barangay and promised to render financial support within his limitations.

Although his did not specify any amount in his speech, Cogon Ramos Barangay Captain Danilo Alfafara announced later that the congressman will be allocating P1 million each year for the next five years.

Del Mar said he is hoping for other barangays to follow the example set by Cogon Ramos and reassured the barangay that he will continue to support its future endeavors.

"With you, for you, always," Del Mar quoted his famous campaign slogan.

Councilor Edwin Jagmoc, who was also present in the gathering, announced that Osmeña already approved in principle the allocation of a garbage truck for the barangay.

Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation representative Alfred dela Cerna, also told the residents that the BDP will be presented in the foundation's next board meeting to determine what possible support the foundation can render for its successful implementation.

Bigfoot, whose first building is located in the barangay along F. Ramos Street, has been supporting the barangay's day-care program. Dela Cerna said they have already allocated almost P200,000 since they started giving financial assistance since 2005.

Alfafara said the support they are getting is a "dream come true" for the barangay. He said his barangay has always been supportive of Osmeña's administration and will continue to support him in the upcoming elections.

Barangay Cogon Ramos formulated a comprehensive multi-sectoral development plan, which contains their socio-economic development thrusts in the next five years. The development plan has five important sectors-environment, development administration, human development, infrastructure and economic.

In October last year, members of Barangay Development Council underwent a three-day training on barangay development planning through participatory resource appraisal facilitated by the Center for Participatory Governance.

The five-year barangay development plan is a result of hardwork, initiative and unity of the people of the barangay, particularly officials of the barangay, leaders of people's organizations from various sectors and representatives of non-government organizations.

Alfafara said the formulation of the BDP is mandated by the Local Government Code to provide wider and greater role and resources for the local government units to pursue local development within their territorial jurisdiction.

However, he explained that it took them quite some time to come up with their own BDP because it has to go through the rigorous process of consultation, validation, and approval by the residents.

Cogon Ramos is the fourth barangay to have its own BDP after barangay Luz, Banilad and Ermita. Joeberth M. Ocao/BRP-