|
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Benguet reconsiders GMA bridge program funding
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - The provincial board is likely to approve the budget for the implementation of the President's Bridge program amounting to P6.3 million.
This developed as the executive department asked members of SP to take a second look deferring action on the request for counterpart funding for the Suyok Bridge located in Taneg, Mankayan in the amount of P2.7 million and the Irisan Bridge amounting to P3.6 million situated in Tadiangan, Tuba.
Earlier, Board Member Crescencio Pacalso, chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, presented the province's 2004 supplemental budget amounting to P16.896 million. But the amount approved was only around P10.68, inclusive of the province's counterpart for the cold chain project amounting to P1.5 million.
The balance of P9.5 million will be utilized for various infrastructure projects distributed in the different towns of Benguet, inclusive of P750, 000 for the medical check-up of provincial employees and another P700, 000 for the Benguet Vegetable Council.
Gov. Raul Molintas asked the board to reconsider its action saying that "reconsideration is hinged not only on the fact that the bridge projects compliment our projects/programs along development of agri-infrastructure facilities in the province with the end of enhancing our vegetable marketing capabilities for the survival of the vegetable industry."
He added that inaction on the measure also hinges on the obligation of the province to live-up to its commitment with the national government which has been magnanimous to re-allocate support for the project and its share of bridge projects under the President's Bridge Program.
The governor said any complementary support coming from the board would reinforce Benguet's standing with the national government with respect to the implementation of joint undertaking on account of exemplary performance in the past.
Benguet already finished five projects under the program.
The Department of Interior and Local Government gave two additional projects in Benguet, which were initially allocated in one of the provinces in the region. But due to its inability to provide a counterpart, the agency decided to award them to Benguet as proven by its showing of support to GMA's bridge program.
Molintas recalled an earlier measure where the board approved P2.3 million for the Balili Bridge situated in this town with a life cycle of seven years, raising a concern for similar support considering that they are "permanent structures with life cycle of 50 years."
He said that deferment of the approval is not the proper action. "It's either you approve or deny the counterpart," adding that the present administration has only days to manifest its intention to support or not the two projects by approving the needed budget requirement.
"If you decide to defer action, I will be constrained to communicate this. However, if you opt to approve the counterpart funding, the next administration would implement them," he stressed.
After due deliberation on the request in consideration of the limitation on house rules and regulation whereby the board can not pass any financial measure on a single day, the board decided to hold a special meeting on Monday, June 29, to warrant its approval.
(June 27, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
