Thursday, January 10, 2008 ‘Reveal all details of projects’
PAMPANGA Gov. Ed Panlilio yesterday said national and local governments can only be transparent if they will inform people about every detail of each project.
Speaking before the Dilaab Foundation Inc. at the Mabolo Parish Church, Panlilio said that government officials can only be called responsible if they eradicate project kickbacks, euphemistically called “SOP” or part of standard operating procedures.
Panlilio said that while some government officials steal public funds to give to constituents who solicit funds, one of the ways to respond to this is to religiously collect taxes and implement more projects beneficial to all.
In exercising transparency, local governments and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can furnish non-government organizations with detailed specifications on the amount of money allocated to a road project and such details as how many bags of cement and trucks of sand and gravel are needed to finish it, Panlilio said.
If this will be done, even “ordinary people on the street” can easily monitor how projects are being implemented.
Panlilio, however, said that while he dreams of making his province a showcase of good governance, several politicians who refuse change and want to maintain the old system are ganging up on him.
But the priest-turned-politician said he is optimistic that at the end of the day, he will come out victorious.
“The others are happy with what we are doing—more roads are being constructed and more medicines are bought. The people feel that they are part of the programs,” Panlilio said.
He said the participatory approach to development is better. This, he said, means letting the mayors, barangay captains or civic leaders identify projects they need in their community.
Panlilio also visited Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday before proceeding to Mabolo.
He said that while he is now a provincial governor and is temporarily suspended from his vocation, he will always be a priest.
Panlilio is hoping that the Senate will come up with results in its investigation on the cash gifts allegedly distributed by Malacañang during President Arroyo’s meeting with governors and congressmen last year.
He said that it is important to identify the source of the money, at the very least so his Province can issue a receipt. He urged the Senate to pass a law regulating such distribution of funds. (EOB)
