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Tuesday, March 15, 2005
P517M request water under the bridge
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
"WATER under the bridge," said Representative Ignacio Arroyo Jr. of the Fifth District of Negros Occidental on the issue of the P517 million "pork barrel" he asked from the House committee on appropriations.
The solon said, however, the amount was not "pork" but funding for the additional project requests for Western Visayas coursed through his office.
Reports from Manila said the brother-in-law of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is asking P517 million to be re-aligned to government regional offices in Region 6.
Of the amount requested, P342 million would come from the Department of Agriculture, P160 million from the Department of Education (DepEd), and P15 million from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The P342 million in agri funds included P20 million for irrigation projects, P40 million for farm-to-market-roads, and another P40 million for post-harvest facilities.
On the realigned budget for DepEd, P100 million for the construction of school buildings.
"What's wrong with (my) asking?" said the solon on comments that the budget realignment he proposed was the biggest among those asked by some congressmen.
"It would definitely redound to the good of the people, not just in my district but in Region 6."
He further said the money will not go to his personal use.
Arroyo, however, said if Congress will not approve his request, he will not force the issue.
The solon denied allegations he is getting a special treatment from the appropriations committee.
(March 15, 2005 issue)
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