Questions on the use of the city’s budget, fiscal management, priority programs top the list of agenda why a lady barangay captain is seeking the top post of San Fernando, Pampanga’s premier city.
Mayoral candidate Vilma Caluag, in her appearance at Balitaan, a media conference of Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI), said that there has to be a proper use of theP1.7 billion annual budget of the city.
She questioned in particular the allocation of P103 million for health premiums of government employees and barangay workers, the proceeds of the Real Property Taxes, lack of better medical and health, and financial assistance programs for city residents.
She said that the local government of San Fernando, a capital and premier city, does not even have its own dialysis center. Pampanga’s two other cities – Mabalacat and Angeles – have put up their own renal care centers for their residents.
Caluag, Barangay Captain of Barangay Dolores, one of the most commercially active villages, gets a measly amount of P2 million from the proceeds of the RPT. She said that she has sought the intervention of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and has also written the City Treasurer to look into the distribution among San Fernando’s barangays.
The president of Association of Barangay Councils added that of the 35 villages of San Fernando, it is only Barangay Dolores that offers free burial assistance to indigent families.
Caluag said she is happy for the support thrown to her by two former city mayors Rey Aquino and Oscar Rodriguez.