Give credit where it is due: locals

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Residents living along the stretch of Arayat- Apalit Setback Levee said credit must be given where it is due especially on government projects.

“Ano ang kinalaman ng isang pribadong tao sa proyekto ng pamahalaan? Bakit ang laki ng pangalan niya at may litrato pa?” said Nicanor Garnace, a resident from the province’s fourth district.

The residents are referring to the billboards of former fourth district representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc that were seen scattered along Arayat-Apalit Setback Levee.

“Bondoc po kami talaga, mula pa sa tatay nila hanggang sa huling term ni Congresswoman Ana York (Bondoc-Sagum) pero sa tingin ko ay hindi po tama ang ginawa nila. Obvious po kasi eh, ginagamit nila ang proyekto ng gobyerno sa pulitika. Ang totoo ay wala naman siyang partisipasyon sa nasabing proyekto,” Garnace said.

The project Garnace is referring to is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways through the Priority Development Assistance Funds of Bondoc-Sagum.

Relative to this, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo signed Memorandum Circular 2010-101, banning the names, initials and images of government officials in billboards, including signages on government programs, projects and properties.

“Kung iyong mismong public official bawal ilagay ang pangalan nila sa proyekto, paano pa kung pribadong tao ang maglalagay ng pangalan niya?” Garnace said.

The memorandum circular was directed to all provincial governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, presiding officers of local sanggunians at all levels, Local Government regional directors, regional governors of the Autonomous in Muslim Mindanao to ensure the success of its implementation.

This came as the practice of putting up billboards and signages bearing the names, initials and images of government officials on government projects and programs has been reportedly abused and misused by some public officials for personal interest.

Robredo rationalized the memorandum circular in saying that the practice has taken away the credit from the taxpayers who are the ones paying for such programs and projects through their payment of taxes.

With this, the local chief executives are also directed to revisit government programs and projects to ensure compliance on the memorandum.

The information on the project should be limited to the name of the project, location, contractor, date when it started and the project’s completion date.

Earlier, Bondoc assailed the local police of San Simon town for removing what he called “residents’ tarpaulins” expressing gratitude to his sister for various projects implemented.

“Kung mga residente ang naglagay bakit uniform mula Candaba hanggang Macabebe at isa ang lay-out? Saan kaya nanggaling ang pondo sa pagpapagawa ng tarpaulins na may mukha ni Congressman Rimpy?” another resident from the fourth district asked.

Bondoc earlier said he was informed by his supporters that policemen allegedly led by Chief Inspector Paul Gamido removed the sign boards previously placed atop electric posts and house fences.

He described the incident as political harassment considering that he already announced his plan to seek the congressional seat in the next year’s polls.