MAYOR Allan Adlawan of Asturias, Cebu along with his 25 barangay captains, all of One Cebu Party, shook hands with Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale in a courtesy call at the Provincial Capitol yesterday.
Both Davide and Magpale are allied with the administration Liberal Party.
Magpale and Adlawan, however, pointed out that the cordial meeting does not indicate the mayor’s possible shift of political alliance.
“He is returning the visit kay nalipay siya kay gi-apil sila (because he was happy about the inclusion of his town),” Magpale said, referring to the inclusion of Asturias in the distribution of cash incentives for barangay workers.
The Cebu Provincial Government distributed a total of P47 million in cash incentives to barangay health workers in all of Cebu’s 1,091 barangays, regardless of their political alliances.
Adlawan, in a separate interview, said their visit, which was a gesture of gratefulness, was just a courtesy call and that no politics were discussed.
Adlawan said it was not a political party meeting, but was just a meeting with the two top Province officials.
He said he was grateful that both Davide and Magpale took time to visit Asturias last week to lead the distribution of the cash incentives to the barangay health workers (BHWs).
Capitol has allocated P2,400 cash incentive for each of the BHW members, nutrition scholars and day care workers; and P1,500 each to all barangay animal health aides and tanods in Cebu’s 44 towns and seven component cities.
Adlawan said that Davide and Magpale extended their hands to welcome him and the barangay captains, which the mayor and the village officials accepted in return.
Magpale admitted that she was initially apprehensive when she and Davide went to Asturias to distribute cash incentives as they might be rejected by the town officials, similar to what happened during last year’s elections.
Magpale said she was glad that Adlawan turned out to be very accommodating to them during their visit.
“Duna pa mi bringhouse nga (We even went home with) budbud,” said Magpale.