Political ALLEGATIONS over the distribution of cash fees for barangay workers are heating things up on Capitol Hill in the run-up to the May 13 election.

Barangay workers reportedly walked 20.7 kilometers from their home in the northern town of Liloan on Monday, March 11, to claim their cash fees from the provincial government, but they were denied.

Cotcot, Liloan Barangay Captain Lorena Yungco lamented that although the distribution took place on Friday March 8, the reason for the withholding of their fees was that the money had been liquidated.

The source of this information was a press release sent to local newspapers on Monday March 11.

Several calls were made by SunStar Cebu to Yungco, but she was not available at the time of publication.

The press release, however, cited the village chief and two tanods from Barangay Jubay.

According to the press release, Yungco had asked the head of Capitol’s cash disbursement division, Yolly Cabando, to issue a note indicating the denial of release, but the latter referred it to attorney Ramil Abing instead, executive director of the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission.

“Abing was busy with meetings, so Yungco approached lawyer (Cebu Province lawyer) Orvi Ortega about this, but Ortega told him it was not within his jurisdiction, so he will continue to ask questions. on this subject. Yungco and his 35 employees left the Capitol empty-handed at noon, ”the press release said.

SunStar Cebu also attempted to reach Cabando for comment, but she was not available at the time of posting.

Earlier today, tanods, health workers and lupong tagapamayapa from Barangays Jubay, Tayud and San Vicente, all located in Liloan, were also said to have suffered the same fate.

After Cotcot, workers from the mountain barangay of Mulao also reportedly went to the Capitol for the same purpose.

“Alejandro Bughaw, a tanod from Barangay Jubay, said they left town at dawn without having breakfast so they could be at the Capitol even before the flag ceremony on Monday morning. Another tanod, Romie Estay, declared that it was “impossible” that the money, which had already been allocated, could be returned to the general fund so quickly, knowing that the release for other workers was made last Friday ” , says the press release.

Bughaw claimed they were holding a seminar on firefighting, while health workers were to conduct the measles vaccination when Governor Hilario Davide III and Deputy Governor Agnes Magpale led the distribution at Barangay Catarman .

Candidates from the city of Liloan allied to the Davide administration were also said to be present during the distribution of the cash fees.

Liloan is led by re-electoral mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco, daughter of third district representative Gwen Garcia.

The race for governor is a battle between Garcia and Magpale, both descendants of great political families.

“First, how can the money already be ‘liquidated’ when the people who were supposed to receive and sign for the money DID NOT receive the money? Where did the money go ? Second, Magpale, Davide and their local slate in Liloan staged a political rally in Barangay Catarman on Friday under the guise of a fee distribution. According to our barangay captains, many of our frontline barangays were unable to attend as they were doing measles vaccination for children, and others were implementing health, peace and order programs. already programmed. Why are they being punished for prioritizing their work for our communities over the political agenda of a few? Frasco said in a text message to SunStar Cebu.

On Capitol Hill, Davide denied accusations that his administration was depriving non-supporters of the financial incentive program.

The Capitol provides financial assistance to support the work of barangay workers who are on the front lines in providing basic services.

The Tanods receive P 1,500 each, while barangay health workers, day care centers, barangay nutrition specialists and animal health assistant receive P 2,400 each. Lupons, on the other hand, get 1,500 P each.

The governor’s camp also received reports that those who did not attend the cash distribution last Friday were banned from doing so.

“So, kinsa man ang namolitika ana (who is turning this thing into a political affair)? Davide said.

Magpale, for his part, said the financial incentives come from cash advance transactions, which require immediate liquidation before they can proceed with the fee distribution in the neighboring town.

“Og dili mahuman (if they don’t finish with the distribution) that day, dili sila maka-liquidate (they cannot liquidate). The next day we have to go to another city. Mao na nga lisod jud kaayo nga i-delay (This is why it is difficult to delay). We knew they were there, so gi-announce neither Marian (distribution staff) nga kutob ra gyud karong adlawa (March 8) (announced that they would only distribute the fees that day) but those who we have followed to (nearby town) Consolacion had it. Dili masakripisyo ang ubang lungsod tungod lang sa kapricho nila nga silay namolitika (We cannot sacrifice barangay workers in other cities because of some people who are in politics), ”she said.