Aid for children has budget - Mike Rama

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama insisted that there was no irregularity in releasing financial aid to help hospitalized children of city hall employees saying they are entitled to such benefits.

Rama explained that the city usually extends help to city residents through the City Hospitalization Assistance and Medical Program (Champ) but city hall employees can also avail of the program.

Rama made this statement in reaction to reports that he released P145,000 for the son of Belinda Navascues who was hospitalized at Chong Hua Hospital in April last year.

Navascues is Rama’s secretary.

The controversial disbursement prompted Councilor Margot Osmeña to request the CHAMP office to submit to the city council a list of the program’s beneficiaries.

But Rama is not fazed by Osmeña’s move saying all the disbursements were justified and these were for the children who are in need.

He said the city can always accommodate requests for financial aid through CHAMP as the city has allocated P100 million for the program and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office also has a counterpart.    - THE FREEMAN