Brgy captains to get cellphone allowance

CEBU, Philippines - The city government will spend P576,000 monthly for cellphone load of the 80 barangay captains in the city.

The City Council yesterday approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Eugenio Faelnar appropriating P600 monthly communication assistance to each of the barangay captains.

Faelnar, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Cebu City, said the monthly cellphone allowance will be used for official functions to foster easy communication with and among barangay officials.

“It will be used by the barangay captains in their daily official functions and establish easy connection with their fellow barangay officials, particularly those in the far-flung barangays,” Faelnar said.

Mayor Michael Rama agreed to charge the amount to the fourth supplemental budget.

Meanwhile, the City Council also approved yesterday the proposal of Faelnar to increase the amount intended for additional honoraria of the tanods the tanods here.

During its June 16, 2010 session, the Council approved to appropriate P29.2 million for additional honoraria of the tanods.

But Faelnar said that after the ABC reviewed the amended lists of tanods, it was found out that the amount was not accurate and is insufficient to cover the city’s share for the honoraria of the tanods. Yesterday, the Council increased the amount to P46.9 million. It will be charged to the barangay aid account. 

In a related development, the City Council strongly endorsed the application of the Association of Barangay Councils to be granted accreditation as a non-government. This would not allow the city to grant financial assistance to ABC.   (FREEMANNEWS)