Talisay opposition councilors defend feeding program

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Minority Councilor Danny Caballero yesterday said the opposition's weekly activities are aimed at helping the city's indigents and not being done to gain a political foothold in the area.

"Bisan og unsa atong buhaton, manindot or dili, naa man gyuy comment. So ang amo lang, magpadayun ra gyud mi kay kinahanglan man gyud mi moserbisyo sa mga tawo," Caballero said.

Caballero's statement was in response to claims that their regular feeding programs are in preparation for their bid in the 2013 local elections.

Caballero along with fellow minority councilors Romeo Villarante and Val Ylanan have been reaching out to the depressed areas of the city giving out free porridge, medicine, legal services, to name a few.

Last Saturday, the group went to the mountain village of Maghaway to distribute noodles and canned goods to more than 100 senior citizens of the area.

"Kung namulitika pa mi, dili mga senior citizen among tabangan kay hapit di naman gani na kaila namo," Caballero said.

Caballero said they have to go out even if it means shelling out their personal funds so that the public may know that the people they chose in the last May 10, 2010 elections are doing their job.

"Kahibaw naman gyud tang tanan nga way budget sa city hall ang opposition, so wa gyuy projects para namo. Mao ning naningkamot ming tulo nga kung naa lang mi grasya, iderecho gyud na namo sa katawhan," Caballero said.

Last Sunday, with the assistance of the sisters of the Saint Scholastic Academy, the three councilors fed about 160 children of barangay Lagtang.

Caballero said the 2013 elections are still very far, and so the rumors are "baseless." (FREEMAN)