Kapitans divided on budget
IF it’s any indication about the rift among the barangay chairmen in Dagupan City, fifteen of the 31 barangay chairmen signed two opposing manifestos over the city’s proposed 2011 budget that remained unacted on by the city council.
There were two manifestos routed among the kapitans initiated by two camps on the same day but on different occasions in the Liga ng mga Barangay: one called for the immediate passage by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), the other fully supporting the continued review and evaluation by the council.
Both manifestos signed on January 21 were received by the SP a day after the SP adjourned its budget hearing.
The following Monday, January 24, Liga ng mga Barangay president Guillermo Vallejos delivered a privilege speech before the SP calling for the immediate passage of the budget, insinuating that the SP members are dragging their feet on the matter for political reasons.
Vallejos refused to be interpellated after his speech.
Councilor Luis Samson Jr. stood up to assure Vallejos that the city council is not blocking the passage of the budget but that the proposal could not approved without first correcting the errors by City Hall’s finance committee.
Samson also pointed out that the delay in the hearings is further caused by the inability of some of City Hall’s representatives to defend it.
Vallejos led the 29 kapitans who signed the manifesto calling on the SP to enact the budget immediately.
He said the manifesto was signed after Mayor Benjamin Lim called all barangay chairmen to a meeting and informed them of the supposed repercussions if the city will operate on a re-enacted budget, which would be the case if the proposed budget does not get approved and signed by March 31.
The 29 signatories did not include Barangay Chairmen Luis Santiago Samson of Pogo Chico and Joaquin Reyes of Tapuac.
A LIGA DIVIDED
Samson was the lone opponent of Vallejos in the election for Liga president last year where the latter won by just one vote, 16-15.
Samson and Reyes were among the 15 kapitans who signed the other manifesto expressing support to the ongoing hearings for the proposed budget. The 13 are Kapitans Sonny Tuates of Mamalingling; Bernard Cabison, Mangin; Samuel Guadiz, Mayombo; Rosendo Tamayo, Malued; Liberato Solano, Lucao; George Galvan, Pogo Grande; Salvacion Brav, Herrero Perez; Conrado Muyalde, Salisay; Jaime Santillan, Lomboy; Rodolfo Siapno, Lasip; Gregorio Taminaya, Bacayao Sur; Eugenio Balolong of Bacayao Norte; and Helen Fermil, Tebeng.
Others who signed the Vallejos-initiated manifesto are Kapitan Marvin Fabia of Bolosan; Pedro Gonzales, Bonuan Binloc; William Datuin, Bonuan Boquig; Perfecto Velasquez, Carael; Raul Sayson, Barangay IV; Ricardo Mejia, Bonuan Gueset; Robert Meleci, Barangay II; Rodolfo Siapno, Lasip Grande; Joseph David Ramos, Lasip Chico; Jaime Santillan, Lomboy; Lilia Yasar, Pantal; Ricardo de la Cruz , Pugaro-Suit; Wilfredo Salayog, Tambac; and Alex Claveria, Caranglaan.
Curiously, there were two signatories for Barangay Salisay in the Vallejos-led manifesto: Muyalde as Liga secretary, and Armando Cervantes, the candidate defeated by Muyalde in the last election.
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