Barangay treasurer Celia Rose Meraiz purchased a box of syringes from a drug store on Nov. 24 in Cadiz City.
Instead of syringes, Meraiz, who handles the finances of Barangay Andres Bonifacio, and other village officials, later discovered that the box was full of cash amounting to P410,500, Lt. Col. Robert Mansueto, Cadiz City police chief, said.
Their discovery was made only the day after the purchase when they opened the box during the scheduled immunization at the barangay health center.
As per advice of Barangay Chairman Enrique Lamoste, Jr., the money was immediately turned over by Meraiz and Kagawad Archimedes Abong to the Cadiz City Police Station.
Mansueto yesterday said that money was traced to have been owned by the drug store.
Miraez will be recognized by the Cadiz City Police Station for her honesty, during the Pagdayaw Award ceremony on the first week of December.
She will also receive a citation from the Cadiz City government headed by Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr., who commended Miraez for her honesty.
“Being barangay workers and government workers, it is inherent in us to be honest and be role models for our constituents to emulate,” Escalante said.
In this case, he continued, the city will acknowledge her good deed in a separate event as they are observing strict protocols on social diatancing.
The mayor recalled that last year, a Cadiz City tricycle driver recovered a bag owned by a foreign passenger.
The bag had P200,000 in it and the driver returned the cash to the passenger.
“We need more positive stories like these, especially in this time of the pandemic,” the mayor said.
No frills, no publicity, Escalante rewarded the driver with a brand new tricycle unit for his honesty. – GB
