Council OKs giving financial aid to BCLP

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has authorized Mayor Michael Rama, for and on behalf of the city, to enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines (BCLP)-Cebu City Chapter for the financial assistance of the latter's office to cover its operational expenses.

Councilor Phillip Zafra sponsored a resolution regarding the matter which was approved by the council.

The BCLP-Cebu City Chapter is a non-government organization composed of the North and South District Barangay Kagawads of the city representing the 80 barangay councils.

Zafra said that the city government allotted P2,250,000 included in the 2022 Annual Budget as financial assistance to the BCLP-Cebu City Chapter.

Of the amount, P1 million was allocated for their general assembly for the year 2022; P700,000 for the BCLP members insurance coverage, hospitalization programs & medicines benefit, including members fire and burial assistance; P150,000 for the venues, meals for meetings, sessions, and honorariums; P130,000 for the honorarium of BCLP staff; P115,000 for the capability building and enhancement programs; P80,000 for Miscellaneous Operating Expenses; and P75,000 for office supplies, furniture, materials, and equipment.

A draft MOA for this purpose was referred to the City Legal Office (CLO) for review and recommendation.

After careful review, the CLO rendered an opinion that the subject MOA conforms to the basic requirements of a written contract.

It stated that the terms and conditions therein are in accordance with law, rules and regulations, and not otherwise contrary to morals, good customs, public order, and public policy.

“However, in compliance with Section 22 (a) (5) in relation to Section 22 (c), Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise ‘Local Government Code of 1991,’ a Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the subject contract should be secured,” stated the CLO.

“Therefore, in view of the foregoing premises, this Office finds no legal impediment for the City Mayor, Hon. Michael L. Rama, to sign and execute this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) upon a Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution authorizing the Mayor for said purpose,” it added.

As provided in the draft MOA, the city government shall grant and release financial assistance to the BCLP-Cebu City Chapter in the amount of P2,250,000 which shall be appropriated and disbursed in accordance with the plans, programs, and projects.

The BCLP-Cebu City Chapter shall be responsible in the implementation of the plans, programs, and projects; shall maintain a separate account for the funds received, maintain financial and accounting records, set up guidelines in the disbursements of funds, and liquidate the same as per existing Commission on Audit (COA) Rules and Regulations; and shall submit accomplishment report of the projects within 60 days from its completion.

Section 510 of the Local Government Code provides that the leagues and federations may derive their funds from contributions of individual league or federation members or from fund-raising projects or activities. The local government unit concerned may appropriate funds to support the leagues or federation organized pursuant to this Section, subject to the availability of funds. — FPL (FREEMAN)