CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Paz Radaza was dismayed upon learning that none among the barangay officials in Caw-oy in Olango Island were present as she turned over the P2.5 million worth health center the other day.
“Makaluluoy ang mga katawhan sa Barangay Caw-oy tungod kay nakatumong sila og mga barangay officials nga walay respeto ug nagpakita og ngil-ad nga pamatasan isip mga opisyales sa barangay,” Radaza said in her Facebook post.
Caw-oy barangay officials reportedly allies of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan. Radaza and Chan are both running for mayor in the 2022 elections.
“Nagguol ko para sa mga katawhan sa Barangay Caw-oy human sa gipakita nga batasan sa mga barangay officials. Sila unta ang example sa maayong pang gobyerno ngadto sa mga katawhan apan subo pamalandungon nga walay bisan usa nitunga nila,” said Radaza.
The former city mayor said that the two-storey building is not intended for the use of the barangay officials but for their own constituents and it is but fitting that the barangay officials should be present during the turnover as they are the one trusted by their constituents as barangay leaders.
“Ngano man nga nagdumili mo sa pagdawat sa mao nga proyekto ing-ana ba lang mo kabastos nga ultimo sa inyong constituents wa mo’y mga respeto, bisan para lang unta sa inyong mga lumulupyo nga maoy nagbutang ninyo diha sa inyong tagsa ka position,” Radaza said.
According to some of the constituents who attended the turnover ceremony, their barangay officials allegedly attended a meeting called by the mayor in a building just near the health center.
Instead, some of the residents who attended the event were the ones who accepted the key as a symbol of the formal turnover of the health center.
“Politicians come and go. And, we are remembered by the people we serve through our good legacies. Layo pa ang election, serbisyo una mo sa inyong katawhan ayaw una mo pag sigeg pamolitika tungod kay ang makaluluoy ang inyong mga konstituwente nga maoy nagbutang ninyo diha sa hawanan sa barangay aron kamo mahimong opisyales,” Radaza added.
Meanwhile, the congresswoman gave P100,000 from her personal funds for the 41 fisherfolks in the said barangay.
Radaza said that the fishermen were having some financial difficulties and the money will be used to purchase some fishing gears to improve their catch.
She also gave three kilos of rice to 134 residents who are wives of the fishermen. — GMR (FREEMAN)