Magalang councilor opposes P1.5-M budget for training

COUNCIL member Elizabeth P. Gonzales of the municipality of Magalang has decried the “railroaded” passage last December 13 of the supplemental budget amounting to P10,852,247.08, part of which was appropriated for Personnel Development and Advancement Program (P1,520,000), which she is opposing.

While Gonzales supports the Extra Cash Gift line appropriation (P6,356,908.33) and Statutory Obligations and Special Account (P2,975,338.75), she strongly opposes the line appropriation for Personnel Development and Advancement Program amounting to P1.5 million.

“Ito ay isang maliwanag na panloloko sa taong bayan. Ang pagpapasa nito ay pagtalikod sa sinumpaang tungkulin ng mga halal na opisyal na paglingkuran ang bayan, tugunan ang kanilang kapakanan at isulong ang kanilang interes,” Gonzales said.

In a release sent to Sun.Star Pampanga, Gonzales said the P1.5 million appropriation for training cannot be justified since 2012 during the time of the passage was about to end in 15 days.

“Anong training ang gagawin? Para kanino ang training? Saan gagawin ang training? Para saan ang training? Nasaan ang justification ng training sa personnel development plan ng munisipyo? Mas maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw, ito ay gagamitin lang para pakinabangan ng iilan,” Gonzales said.

During the session, Gonzales questioned the P1.4-million savings from the salaries of three-sectoral representatives in the Municipal Council on the grounds that there is no basis for appropriating P1.4 million for salaries for positions that do not exist.

“I have raised my objections for this line appropriation on the budget only to be rejected by the majority of the SB members,” she said.

“Ilang fertilizers at abono na ang pwedeng pakinabangan ng mga mahihirap na magsasaka sa P1.4 million? Ilang mga notebook, lapis, ballpen at papel na ang pwedeng ibigay sa mga mahihirap na mag-aaral sa P1.4 million? Ilang gamot na ang pwedeng bilhin at ipamigay sa mga mahihirap nagkakasakit?” Gonzales said.