By Antonet Go
ZAMBOANGA CITY, (PNA) -– Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has suspended the issuance of barangay certifications and community tax certificates due to the prevailing situation in this city.
“You are directed to temporarily suspend issuance of community tax certificates and barangay certification or clearance stating among others that a particular person is a resident of a particular barangay,” Salazar said in her order to this city’s 98 barangay chairmen.
Salazar said her order stands until further notice from the Crisis Management Committee, which she also chairs.
“This is in view of the critical and emergency situation presently prevailing in this city. For strict compliance,” Salazar further stated in her order.
Salazar’s order is aimed to prevent Moro National Liberation Front rebels involved in the standoff from acquiring pertinent documents, mixed up with evacuees and escaped.
Salazar also issued the order after receiving reports that some barangay officials are just issuing CTCs without proper verification of the person’s identities, which she citing is not appropriate at this time while the troops have yet to clear the “areas of concerns.”
The areas of concerns include the adjoining barangays of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Rio Hondo and Mariki, the sites of fierce fighting between the troops MNLF rebels.
The CTC and barangay certification or clearance is also being used for identification purposes aside from applying for jobs.