Leaders laud Chatto's “Bisita sa Barangay”

INNOVATIVE Bisita sa Barangay in the first congressional district has been found to have driven more local officials to serve the government and its people, observers said. No less than Representative Edgar M. Chatto has made this almost like an institution in efforts to link and touch base with officials on funding and implementing projects that will benefit the community as a whole. Cong. Chatto further strengthens his regular consultations in his town sorties where coordination with officials in the grassroots level happen.

This, he makes despite a tight schedule in Manila during weekdays. One major gathering the solon has been keen with his attendance is the monthly Association of Barangay Council (ABC) meeting where he tags along senior officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) first engineering district led by Engr. Celestino Adlaon. Topping its main agenda is the implementation of several projects in the barangays specifically those sourced out of the lawmaker's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

It maybe noted that Chatto's has already allotted financial assistance to all barangays in his district. The allocations are then used to fund highly beneficial projects ranging from multi-purpose buildings, farm to market roads, classrooms, school buildings to concrete pavements and installation of water-pumping units. Other national government projects due for implementation with fund releases being worked out by Chatto are also given space in the meeting. “This is bringing the national government within reach to the most basic government unit”, quipped Chatto to the barangay captains present.

He added that this kind of set up is very acceptable to officials since they need not go to the local DPWH to check status of pending projects. Other matters as far as project implementation is concerned are likewise discussed like the handling of projects, full payments, documentation and paper trail, accepted designs, land donations, dealing with winning contractors and project turn-over upon completion. For his move, Chatto's idea has gained wide support and backing from municipal mayors. Barangay leaders laud Bisita who see it as a smooth way to iron out and straighten issues with regards to completion of needed projects. Limited barangay budget is also addressed since travel and meal allowances are saved.

The DPWH team included Engr. Elsa Torralba, Engr. Matilde Chiu, Engr. Esther Calacat and architect Junjun Flores. The engineers have positively responded to the regular visit since individual concerns are now addressed simultaneously in a one-stop shop deliberation. Also on hand to assist from the district congressional office of the solon are former Board Member Billy Tongco, Alfonso “Ae” Damalerio II and Bernard Lansang, the solon's Chief-of-Staff, political affairs officer and projects officer respectively.

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