CEBU, Philippines - Former Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri seized the chance to say to the Cebuanos “Let me try again in 2013”, when he graced the general assembly of more than 11,000 barangay volunteer workers province-wide held at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.
Zubiri attended the annual Christmas gathering of all Barangay Health Workers (BHW), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Day Care Workers/ Early Child Care and Development Workers; and Barangay Animal Health Aides (BAHA), initiated by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was also invited to grace the affair but did not arrive because he went to the flood-stricken areas in Northern Mindanao.
Zubiri said that he also visited the victims of Typhoon Sendong earlier, and shared to the crowd how pitiful the situation is for the people in the affected areas of the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
During his speech, Zubiri asked the audience for ten seconds of silent prayer and later said, “Lord, please bless their souls.”
Prior to his resignation as senator on August 3 this year, Zubiri had a pending Senate Bill which seeks to grant additional benefits for barangay officials and volunteer workers.
He proposed for a P4, 000 monthly allowance for barangay captains; P3, 000 for kagawads and P2, 000 for volunteer workers like the BHWs, tanods and others chargeable under the appropriations of the national government.
Zubiri asked the audience to help him return to Senate in the coming 2013 elections so that he could pursue his plans.
He also lauded the provincial government for giving such additional allowances.
Garcia distributed the annual allowance of P1, 500 each for the barangay volunteer workers and packed goods as Christmas gifts.
When Garcia, in her speech, said she will truly miss them when her term ends in 2013 and she doesn’t know yet her plan, the crowd shouted “Senador!”
Garcia did not give a categorical answer but said she will face whatever challenge God will give her like when she first entered politics in 2004 and ran for governor.
Also highlighted during the event was the recognition of 20 retired BHWs who have served as volunteers for a long period of years.
Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said that it is a unique program where BHW retirees were given benefits including health and insurance aside from the meager allowance given by their respective barangays.
Magpale commended the BHWs and other barangay volunteer workers for giving service to the people without minding how small the amount they are receiving.
“You deserve the salute sa mga kadagkoan sa probinsiya sa Sugbo, you are the real heroes in public service,” Magpale said. (FREEMAN)