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Monday, September 20, 2004
Social fund for pro-poor projects: Arroyo aide
MANILA -- An aide of President Arroyo said Sunday that her social fund is already earmarked for pro-poor projects and could not just be diverted to other programs.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said this is why it would be difficult to follow the suggestion of opposition Sen. Jose Estrada to use money from Arroyo's social fund to finance the rice subsidy for soldiers.
Bunye said Arroyo cares for the welfare of the soldiers but that the fund is being set aside for projects that are no less important.
"The Presidential Social Fund (PSF) is earmarked for priority projects. You cannot just divert them. Important as they are (soldiers), the (fund) is earmarked for just as equally important pro-poor projects," Bunye said.
Asked if Arroyo is personally looking into the soldiers' rice subsidy issue, Bunye said it was an operational detail that Malacaņang prefers to leave to Armed Forces Chief Narciso Abaya and Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr.
Bunye said she prefers that Abay and Cruz handle and solve the matter.
Estrada earlier asked Arroyo to address the rice subsidy issue, especially as the Christmas season is approaching.
Reports said the military has temporarily suspended the issuance of rice allowance coupons (RACs) to 40,000 officers in Mindanao after incurring debts with the National Food Authority (NFA) of up to P533 million.
Each RAC is equivalent to a sack of rice, which the families of the soldiers could claim.
The debt dates back to 1999 when then President Joseph Estrada first ordered the grant of rice subsidy for soldiers in Mindanao who are fighting the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). (JMR)
(September 20, 2004 issue)
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