16 hours ago
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CEBU CITY — The local government here has begun distributing P5 million in financial assistance to each of the city's 80 barangay.
However, many barangay (villages) have yet to receive their share due to incomplete documentary requirements, risking delays as the election-related disbursement ban approaches.
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia stressed that the barangay must comply with all necessary documents, including a project proposal, a barangay resolution, a utilization report for financial assistance received in 2023, an affidavit of undertaking and a certificate of non-utilization of funds.
He set a deadline of March 28 for submission.
The city allocated P400 million for the subsidies, which will be charged against the 2025 General Fund.
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So far, only half of the barangay have received their funding. Among them are Santo Niño, San Roque, Taptap, Hippodromo, Pulangbato, Babag, Guadalupe, Ermita, Zapatera, Santa Cruz, Malubog, Sambag Uno, Sudlon Dos, Binaliw, Pamutan, Bulacao, Pasil, Sawang Calero, Banilad, Sambag Dos, Pit-Os and Ramos.
Other barangay that have also secured their subsidies include Sirao, Tejero, Tabunan, Agsungot, Boot, Budlaan, Day-as, Parian, Sapangdako, Sinsin, Talamban, Kamagayan, Sudlon Uno, Adlaon, Basak-Pardo, Pahina-San Nicolas and Pung-ol Sibugay.
Garcia encouraged barangay officials to complete the requirements promptly.
"I have to set a cutoff date because if they can't submit all the documents, we cannot give the check because this is subject to the guidelines of the Commission on Audit," he said.
He assured that barangay with complete documents would immediately receive their financial assistance.
"The requirements are just simple. We made it easy for them," he added.
For those that miss the deadline, the city will release the P5-million subsidy again after the elections. Garcia also assured that the Barangay Affairs Office would monitor the funds to ensure they are properly utilized.
