THE Cebu City Council wants the executive department to provide the legislative body the list of habal-habal (motorcycle) drivers who received the P15 million worth of rice assistance from the City Government.
The legislative body is also requesting the Office of the Mayor to give a copy of the guidelines in identifying the beneficiaries of the rice assistance.
In a privileged speech, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr., said there is need for transparency in all transactions of the City.
“Transparency is one of the basic duties of the government towards its people. Transparency does not erase doubts coming from the people but it lessens that doubt. As a matter of public opinion, the government is always presumed to be guilty of corruption that is why, transparency is always an imperative in good governance,” Alcover said.
During the discussion, Councilor Sisinio Andales objected on Alcover’s presumption that the government is engaged in corruption.
However, Councilor Raymond Garcia clarified that Alcover did not meant to presumed that the government is engaged in corruption.
Last Saturday, February 23, the Office of the Mayor distributed one sack of rice for every habal-habal driver qualified to receive the assistance.
To qualify for the rice assistance, Assistant City Administrator Annabeth Cuizon, in an earlier interview, said that drivers are required to submit certain requirements.
It includes the duly accomplished profile sheet, voter’s registration, any proof of possession of the motorcycle, certificate of indigency and member certification from any habal-habal association.
It should be submitted to Two-Wheeled Motor Vehicle Monitoring, Coordinating and Assistance Unit, which is located at the 9th floor of the executive building of City Hall.
After complying with the requirements, a certificate will be given to them, which they will bring along with a valid government identification card to claim to claim the rice.
Cuizon said that for those drivers who are still completing their requirements, they can still claim their rice assistance even after the scheduled distribution.