A proposed ordinance of the seven majority in the Sangguniang Panlungsod seeking to standardize the monthly allowances of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and other volunteer workers at P5,000 each was “laid on the table” for consideration at a future time.

This after the intended beneficiaries angrily rejected the financial bonanza being promised them, calling the measure as just a cheap political gimmick to gain “pogi” points for the majority councilors at their (BHWs’ and other volunteer workers’) expense.

Councilor Alfie Fernandez, one of the authors of the proposed ordinance, reacted to a video posted on Facebook showing heads of BHWs in 31 barangays who, he said, gathered at the office of Mayor Belen Fernandez, to reject the proposed city ordinance he and his colleagues were prepared to pass.

The BHWs led by Myrna Quinto questioned the motive of the SP majority to give P5,000 monthly allowance today when they have been seeking for the amount since last year but were rejected. “It’s evidently for their “pogi” points,” she said.

“Why only now?, Quinto angrily asked as she expressed fear that if the measure is approved, other services in the city government will be sacrificed.

“Hindi po totoo yon,” Councilor Fernandez intoned in his privilege speech on Tuesday’s regular session of the Sanggunian.

He said the majority councilors only wanted to compensate the sacrifice being rendered by the BHWs and other workers without any expectation that the beneficiaries will vote for them in 2025, since the fund will be drawn from the unappropriated balance in the budget.

However, no supplemental budget can be enacted if the LGU is operating on a reenacted budget.

In his privilege speech, Councilor Fernandez also denied the assertion of Quinto that the majority seven did not provide any budget for the allowance of BHWs and other volunteer workers in the annual budget they passed in March, claiming that these were provided in the approved annual budget but these were among the items vetoed by Mayor Fernandez.

Meanwhile, the SP majority passed an ordinance over the objection of four minority councilors and abstention of one granting an increase in the allowances of court judges and prosecutors assigned in Dagupan City.

Councilor Michael Fernandez abstained but Councilors Jigs Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Joshua Bugayong opposed the measure, saying “charity should begin at home and that the judges and prosecutors are workers of the national government and not the city. They also said funding source for the increased allowances cannot be served under a reenacted budget. (Leonardo Micua)

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