Missing docs keep brgy hanging

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza supported the City Council's move requesting former Association of Barangay Councils president and now incumbent City Councilor Leo Mercado to explain his alleged failure to turn over important documents to Barangay Pajo.

Radaza signed the resolution passed by the City Council two weeks ago introduced by Association of Barangay Councils President Jose Dungog.

In last Wednesday’s regular session, some members of the  council inquired of the status of the resolution. The resolution was signed by  Radaza after the session last Wednesday.

The City Council secretariat has been authorized to send the resolution to Mercado and other parties concerned.

Dungog introduced the resolution to the City Council after officials of Barangay Pajo asked his assistance over the failure of Mercado to turn over the important documents before he left the office.

Pajo barangay officials has requested the council through Dungog on documents in support of barangay's fixed assets acquired during the past administration of  Mercado.

Mercado, former barangay captain of Pajo and president of ABC, was elected as regular member of the City Council in the  last May 2013 elections. But barangay officials of Pajo said  there are barangay assets that need documentation to ascertain ownership thereof of the fixed assets acquired by the barangay during the past administration.

The barangay officials informed the Lapu-Lapu City Council that there was no turnover of assets to the present barangay administration in last December 2013 turnover.

Barangay Councilor Gary Omolon, the acting barangay captain from June 2013 to November 2013, informed incumbent barangay captain Junard Ahong Chan that when he took over as Barangay Captain last June 2013, there was no turning over of barangay assets from his predecessor.

Upon inquiry, the  preceeding barangay secretary informed incumbent barangay officials that the documents needed were placed inside the barangay vault and only the barangay treasurer, the late Chito Mestremos knew the vault's combination.

The documents that barangay council are looking for include the registration certificates of barangay vehicles, deed of sale of a parcel  of land required for the purpose of constructing a satellite health clinic together with the TCT and tax declaration, barangay Material Recovery Facility shredder machines and its pulvorizer, other fixed assets acquired by the barangay as may be found out in Commission on Audit report.” The barangay vault was forced open for the purpose in the presence of all incumbent barangay officials last August 8, 2014 with the approval of the Department of Interior and Local Government and COA.

But when the vault was forced open none of the documents the barangay officials were looking for could be found, it was learned.

Pajo Barangay captain Chan, when contacted by The FREEMAN, said he hopes Mercado will answer to the City Council resolution and turn over the necessary documents to the barangay. (FREEMAN)