Ex-VM slam Bermejo for neglecting typhoon Frank victims
ROXAS CITY – Former vice mayor Allan Celino told City Mayor Vicente Bermejo to help first city residents, who were victims of typhoon Frank last year, before helping the flood victims in Manila.
Celino, in a radio interview, clarified that he is not against the laudable purpose of the mayor however, “there are still typhoon Frank victims waiting for the help of the city government which they haven’t availed of until.”
The former vice mayor also criticized the city government’s purchase of a mini-bus to be used by the city councilors and city government every time they have travels in and outside of Roxas City.
“I’ve been 12 years as public official but I never used the vehicle owned by the city government,” Celino said.
Celino is groomed to run for city mayor against Bermejo come 2010 election.
On the other hand, Vice Mayor Ronnie Dadivas also questioned the move of the mayor as insincere and untimely move to take the amount from calamity funds.
According to Dadivas, the mayor should attend to the plight of typhoon Franck victims in the city who until now never availed of the calamity funds.
Earlier, the vice mayor blamed Bermejo for having realigned the 5% calamity funds and used it to pay terminal leave of city employees, heavy equipment and lands in people’s park in Brgy. Baybay. However, Bermejo strongly denied the accusation saying that the funds was unused and was reverted into general funds of 2009.
On the other hand, Bermejo clarified that the financial aid amounting to P500,000 is intended for the Capizeños in Manila who are also affected with floods.
The city mayor clarified that he gave it as thanks giving to the Almighty that Capiz was spared from the calamity.
Last week, Bermejo launched “Sulong-Tulong” which aims to gather relief goods and additional donations for the typhoon victims.
The Sangguniang Panglungsod in their special session last Thursday appropriated the amount of P500,000 purposely for financial aid for Manila flood victims brought about by Typhoon Ondoy.
He added that the donations will all be channeled to the City Social Welfare and Development Office and will be given to areas badly hit by the massive flooding brought by the said typhoon.
Meanwhile, Bermejo also clarified that the mini-bus recently purchased by his administration amounting to P1.8 million, is for the city councilors and city employees to be used officially.
According to him, he wanted the city councilors to have their own service vehicle.
He added that when he was the governor, he purchased Korando cars for board members and later changed it into Pajero and other branded luxury vehicles for their own public use adding that he also bought 3 buses for the use of provincial capitol.