CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Board Members Ricardo Yabut and Tarcicio Halili on Tuesday urged the Provincial Board (PB) and the Local Finance Committee to "divert" instead of "reverting" about P46 million in unexpended funds.

The two members made the calls following the request of Governor Eddie Panlilio that P45,999,906 in unexpended balances from this year's supplemental budget shall be reverted to the un-appropriated balance and shall be earmarked for the special assistance for education (Safe) program amounting to P4.9 million; the rice subsidy program (for calamity victims) in the amount of P20 million; the honoraria of Capitol choir members in the amount of P126,000; and the repair and rehabilitation of bridges amounting to P20.9 million.

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Yabut and Halili noted that there should not have been unexpended funds for health, like some P4.5 million in aid for indigents.

"We have already approved the governor's request for P54 million in calamity funds. Why do we have to revert this much for further calamity assistance? Besides, the year is not over yet," Halili said.

Halili added the Provincial Government should instead divert the funds for hospitals, like the ones in Mabalacat, which are in need of vital equipment.

"Itong ospital natin sa Mabalacat ay sira na ang x-ray machine na panahon pa yata ni Magellan. Ang mga pasyente ay agawan sa oxygen tanks. Ginagamit pa noong isa, hinuhugut na nung iba," he said, adding that he personally witnessed the sorry state of the public hospital there in one of his visits.

He also raised anew his call for the Provincial Government to have a bridge in Balitucan repaired, as it apparently would collapse soon, paralyzing transport and posing danger to residents of three barangays. He said his appeal has been made years ago.

Meanwhile, Yabut pointed to the state of a hospital in San Luis town, which was similarly in dire need of improvement.

"Our hospital in San Luis immediately needs assistance. Wala silang kuryente, operating room, baha at sufficient facilities para sa mga indigents doon," he said.

Yabut added that the unexpended funds should instead be converted to PhilHealth cards for indigents and volunteers who do not have such benefits.

"Sa Fourth District na lang ay madami tayong mga barangay workers and volunteers na sila mismo ay walang mga benepisyo gaya ng Philhealth cards. We think it would be wise if these funds are converted to health benefits rather than more calamity assistance since may pondo na tayong inilaan para doon. Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nangangailangan nito," he said.