STA. BARBARA – The trip of twenty three barangay captains of Sta. Barbara and 22 barangay captains of Calasiao to Cebu to attend a three-day seminar sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government was severely criticized as a “junket”.

The object of the criticism was the fund allocated by the towns for the barangay officials’ travel amounting to P13,500 each despite the austerity policy enunciated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Participation in the seminar was optional, it was pointed out.

But Sta. Barbara Liga ng mga Barangay president Roger Zaplan said they attended the three-day seminar because it was aimed at improving the capability of barangay captains in the bids and awards process, disaster preparedness and barangay governance.

He justified the expense saying the inputs and knowledge they learned from that seminar are useful in managing their communities.

Calasiao Mayor Macanlalay joined his barangay captains in the seminar.

He said since the town’s barangay captains assumed office in 2002, they had never attended a seminar outside of Luzon.

He said he granted the permission for the barangay captains of his town to attend the seminar for them to upgrade their knowledge on barangay governance.

There were reports that Rep. Generoso Tulagan provided the “pocket money” for the barangay officials.

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