Tuesday, March 27, 2007 Politicos 'hostage' P120M relief fund for war victims
POLITICS is blamed for the delay in the release of the P120 million-calamity fund intended for the thousands of evacuees of the Midsayap conflict that started January 25.
Reports from the camp of Governor Emmanuel Piñol said the calamity fund request by the governor is being deliberately delayed by the majority of the Provincial Board for fear that he would use it for their political campaign this election.
Piñol accused a gubernatorial candidate and his allies in Provincial Board as those behind in the dilly-dally of the calamity fund.
"These board members are afraid the money could be used in the campaign of administration candidates in the Provincial Government. It is a very sweeping conviction. They are wrong," Piñol said.
The governor lamented his political foes' war against his administration at the expense of the evacuees now estimated to reach 10,000.
Piñol, who is on his third and final term, is running for vice governor. He is supporting incumbent Vice Governor Jesus Sacdalan for governor.
Piñol said the board members have until March 27 to approve the relief allocation before they prepare for their re-election bids or candidacies for other positions.
He admitted though that "it will be difficult to convene them and muster a quorum during the campaign period, which starts later this week."
Evacuees have warned members of the Provincial Board of "murkah" (divine wrath) if they continue their political intramurals that delay the release of relief assistance for them.
It has been two months since the start of the conflict and evacuees are growing by the day due to the intermittent armed clashes in the said town. Many evacuees have been suffering from hunger, cold, and various illnesses.
Estimate showed that about 10,000 evacuees, mostly Moros, are still in makeshift shelters, in school buildings, or with relatives in nearby towns of Datu Piang in Maguindanao, Kabuntalan in Sharif Kabungsuan, and other neighboring towns. (BOT)
