Carreta chief laments no budget for priority projects

CEBU, Philippines — Carreta Barangay Captain Marciano Ando sought the intervention of the Liga ng mga Barangay after his priority projects were not included in the approved budget of Cebu City Development Council.

Ando raised his disappointment yesterday during the general assembly of the city’s barangay league. He asked Association of Barangay Councils president Franklyn Ong to help him bring his concern before the CCDC. Ong promised to look into it and make representation with the development council. 

According to Ando, Carreta needs to buy a mini dump truck for garbage collection and other infrastructure projects. However, these priority projects were not included in the budget.

The CDCC instead appropriated funds for the procurement of ambulance with medical equipment, installation of deep well and water tank at Carreta Elementary School and in Sitio Laray.

Ando said these projects were not the priorities of his barangay because they can request ambulance from the city government if needed.

“Akong gipa-priority ang mini dump truck para naa mi truck mopick-up sa tanang basura (I have prioritized mini dump truck so we can have a truck to pick-up our garbage),” Ando told The FREEMAN.

He said the barangay’s garbage equipment is already dilapidated and unreliable. Ando said the barangay keeps on borrowing garbage truck from the Department of Public Services.

“Karon sige mi panghuwam og truck, usahay dili mi kahuwam kay dili available, unya usahay ang basura ma-stock kay dili mapick-up, nangayo ko dispensa sa mga constituents (At present we just borrow truck but sometimes we could not because there is no available and the garbage will not be collected),” Ando said.

Last year the barangays were asked to submit their priority projects to be included in the Annual Investment Plan this year. A total of P400 million was approved by the CCDC for various projects.

Among projects budgeted under the Local Development Fund (LDF) are the constructions of multi-purpose building, health center, birthing center, water reservoir, road concreting, and drainage system, among others. — USC Intern Raizza Aliviado FPL (FREEMAN)