CEBU CITY, Cebu (PNA) – The Cebu City Council has held off the release of financial assistance to barangays until the city council’s committee on budget and finance chaired by Councilor Margot Osmeña has reviewed its memorandum of agreement (MOA).

However, Councilor Jose Daluz III, the sponsor of two resolutions authorizing Mayor Michael Rama to enter into a MOA with the barangays for the release of the financial assistance, said a review is no longer necessary because there is already a budget for the assistance.

The assistance ranges from over P3 million to P6.8 million for each of the city’s 80 barangays. Osmeña told barangay captains the council is not holding their financial assistance. “we just want to make sure everything has been complied with,” she said.

Candidacy Announced

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar – Guiuan Mayor Analiza Gonzales Kwan has announced her plans to seek the lone Congressional seat of this province in the 2013 polls, challenging incumbent Rep. Ben Evardone.

A certified public accountant, Kwan expressed confidence in becoming Eastern Samar’s first woman representative. She is currently on her third term as mayor of Guiuan, one of Eastern Visayas’ star tourist attractions, particularly among surfers and sea-lovers. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

Police Rescue

NAGA CITY, Cebu – Some 14 girls, seven below 18 years old, were rescued from two karaoke bars and three bar managers were arrested in Brgy. Gairan, this city, last Saturday. Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force in Central Visayas (RATTF-7) head, Senior Inspector Ma. Theresa T. Macatangay said they were informed about the women who worked as commercial sex workers in two karaoke bars in this northern Cebu city.

International Justice Mission (IJM) volunteers and social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development were present during the raid. The girls were turned over to the DSWD. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)

Boys Operated

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte - The An Waray Party-list’s sponsored free “Operation Tuli” last Saturday, saw 1,096 boys, eight to 14 years old, from this city’s 138 barangays circumcised.

The activity was conducted at the University of the Philippines - Visayas Tacloban College, from 8 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Rep. Florencio Noel said this is an annual activity organized by the An Waray to help poor parents in having their boys circumcised at no cost. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

Capiz Multicabs

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) – Some 92 multicab vehicles were turned over by the Capiz provincial government to barangays in the province last April 12 at the Villareal Stadium here. Eight of the vehicles were given by the Office of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Provincial Federation to some SK municipal presidents and chairmen province-wide.

The vehicles were purchased from funds sourced from then Sen. (now Transportation and Communications Secretary) Manuel A. Roxas II. Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Sr. and SK – Capiz Federation President Zoe Maria Felipe Herrera led the turn-over ceremony with Capiz matriarch Judy A. Roxas in attendance. “Let’s use these vehicle for official purposes only especially in providing mobility to our residents during calamities,”

said Tanco.