A TOTAL of P400 million in financial assistance is ready for release to Cebu City鈥檚 80 barangays.
The Cebu City Council approved the aid during last Wednesday鈥檚 session.
Mayor Michael Rama was authorized to sign a memorandum of agreement with the barangays for release of their 2012 assistance.
The aid should be released at the same time to barangays that complete requirements, said Councilor Margot Osme帽a.
It should also be released 鈥渞egardless of their political affiliation,鈥� said Councilor Augustus Pe Jr.
The aid ranges from P3 million to P10 million per barangay based on population and land area.
Mayor Rama, however, said it was his prerogative聽 as mayor how to release the funds.
鈥淭hey (the council) cannot direct the executive when to release the financial assistance,鈥� he said.
During the April 11 session, Councilor Jose Daluz III, a Rama ally, asked that the mayor be authorized to enter into an agreement with barangays Tagbao and Buhisan for the release of their聽 financial aid.
His request was referred to the committe on budget, headed by Osmena for review.
Osmena said they had to review compliance with requirements for release of聽 aid. she said many of the proposed agreements didn鈥檛 have attached documents.
They have to ensure that聽 barangays had聽 liquidated their previous聽 2011 assistance spent on infrastructure projects. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac