Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has released an additional P20 million fund to aid the fight of the city’s 896 barangays against drugs and criminality.
“We have increased the budget of all barangays because without sufficient funds, they cannot implement any project,” Estrada said. “We have restored our city’s financial stability, so it is only proper that the barangays get to have their shares.”
Estrada personally gave out the checks to more than 50 barangay chairmen, the latest batch to receive their 2016 budget from the city government.
City Budget Officer Pamela Manzano explained that each barangay receives an average of P1.5 million annually, depending on its classification. Those in commercial areas receive up to P33 million yearly.
“The bulk of their funds are earmarked for peace and order such as the procurement of CCTVs. This is Mayor Estrada’s priority – security and peace and order,” Manzano said.
Barangays also spend much on clean and green projects, such as drainage declogging, because of the city’s perennial flooding problems, Manzano added. (Jaimie Rose Aberia)