Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Nograles bares P15 million projects
AFTER challenging Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to make public his accomplishments, Representative Prospero Nograles announced he was able to obtain P15 million worth of projects for the city's 1st district.
Nograles said that for transparency purposes, his district office has consistently announced through press statements all his projects and that he submits a printed performance report at the end of every year summarizing all his projects in detail.
Nograles said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued a Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) worth P15 million for the following projects: PhilHealth Insurance worth P1.8 million, Scholarship at USEP worth P1 million, Tesda skills training worth P1 million, and DSWD Livelihood & Protective Force Services for P1.2 million.
In addition, Atty. Karlo Nograles, chief of staff of the congressman, said his father has also allocated P1 million for the completion of the barangay hall of Catalunan Grande where Paolo Duterte is the new barangay captain.
There is also a release of P1 million each for the barangay halls of Matina Pangi, 19-B, and P400,000 for Barangay 29-C and that the DPWH will immediately implement these projects.
The young Nograles said that water systems and pumping station and conduits will also be implemented in Magtuod, to cost P1.5 million, and Langub, which is worth P300,000.
Roads and multi-purpose pavements have also been released for Barangays Bucana 76-A, Talomo, 22-C, 11-B, Ma-a, Matina Aplaya, Dumoy, 19-B, Baliok, Matina Crossing, 31-D, and 21-C. Total amount released by DBM for the above-mentioned projects is P15 million.
The congressman said he will continue to put up public billboards as provided by law and DPWH regulations in all these projects to show the people that these projects are both “real and existing” and for all "blind eyes" to see.
"I do not mind being criticized for this. I still feel that those who do not put up billboards to show their projects for purposes of transparency probably have no projects to show in the first place," Nograles said.
"If congressmen in remote areas of the country do not lobby for DPWH projects, chances are most of the funds will be diverted and placed in Metro Manila, that's why we need to fight for meager resources of government to be released to our district," the congressman said.
Nograles also added he will soon follow up the release of another P20 million for projects before the end of this year.
"The District Office is now preparing our summary of all projects we have implemented in 2006 and 2007. We will provide adequate copies to media and the public as soon as we get them printed out," Nograles said.
Duterte earlier criticized Nograles for putting up billboards on projects that came from the national government and would be implemented with or without the congressman.
Duterte advised Nograles to instead spend the money for his billboards on more worthwhile projects that would help his constituents in the First District. (BOT)
