Tejero folk: Where’s promised cash aid?

CEBU, Philippines- Some residents of Barangay Tejero, Cebu City who were affected by the road widening project along Uldarico Street are asking the city government for the cash assistance it promised to give.

In his letters dated February 6 and March 6 this year, Tejero barangay captain Jessielou Cadungog asked Mayor Michael Rama about the cash assistance considering that it has been a year since the road project connecting barangays Tejero and Carreta was finished.

“Your so called ‘Cash assistance’ has not reached our end to date. In behalf of my constituents, I would like to know if there is still the possibility of receiving the amount so that we can plan our next step,” Cadungog said in his second letter.

Since it has been his second follow up, Cadungog said he hopes to receive a reply from the mayor this time.

“Please give importance and some time to let us know of our query. We are part of the Cebu City government. Whatever is the color, public officials should listen to all the people’s concern and problems,” the barangay captain further said.

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of Rama on the issue, but text messages sent to the mayor yesterday were not replied.

For his part, lawyer Collin Rosell, who heads the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, said they will check their records if there were families who were indeed not provided with the cash aid.

 “I believe it is processed. But we will follow-up kon kinsa ang wala pa nakadawat. Pero kahibaw g’yod ta nga nahatagan na g’yod nato ang tanang families nga affected sa pag-connect sa duha ka-roads,” Rosell said.

Rosell said the barangay should also consider that financial assistance is being extended by phase and that government process takes time as it also responds to the many fire victims in the city.

He added that the barangay should also look at the benefits of the road project, which covered the restoration of the new Aviola Street.

 “Nakatabang g’yod to atong road connection didto kay naay to’y sunog pero wala nakadako tungod naa na’y saktong dalan. Kana lang usa unta ang tan-awn nga benefit sa mga residente,” he said, as he assured to follow up the matter.  (FREEMAN)