Thursday, January 15, 2009 Garcias, Yaphas agree on truce for projects’ sake
GOV. Gwendolyn Garcia and her brother, Rep. Pablo John Garcia, met with the Yaphas of Pinamungahan, Cebu at the Provincial Capitol yesterday to discuss the delivery of projects for 14 barangays allied with the Yaphas.
Congressman Garcia said it was too early to tell whether the meeting signaled the beginning of a political alliance between the two families.
What is important, he added, is that the barangay captains and municipal officials of Pinamungahan already recognize his leadership in the third district and they can now work hand-in-hand to implement projects.
The Yaphas who met with the Garcias were Mayor Geraldine, Vice Mayor Jeffrey and Sanguniang Kabataan Chairperson Ma. Honeylette Yapha.
Of the 26 barangay captains in Pinamungahan, 14 belong to the Yapha camp, while the other 12 are allied with the Garcias. Four skipped yesterday’s meeting.
Mayor Yapha said she was delighted with the warm welcome and that their reconciliation is not for them but for the people.
Counterpart
In an interview after the meeting, Congressman Garcia said that of the 230 barangays in the third district, only the 14 barangay captains in Pinamungahan have refused to accept his offer of projects.
Until yesterday, that is. He told the barangay captains and the Yaphas that he will provide counterpart funds, using his Priority Development Assistance Funds, for all the road projects the Garcia administration pursues in Pinamu-ngahan.
The congressman also told the 12 Pinamu-ngahan barangay captains who are allied with him to seek the help of their mayor
and discuss with her the problems in their barangays.
“I hope that the leadership in Pinamungahan will also offer help to the barangay captains who are allied with us,” he said. (EOB)
