VICE Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson of the Negros Occidental Government was quick to announce, (or is it defend?) that the release of some P35 million in Special Project Allocation or commonly known as “pork barrel” could not in any way be construed as Gov. Alfredo Marañon’s way of wooing them into giving their nod to the governor’s requests.
These could include the request for budget for the Cyber Center, which the Sangguniang Panlungsod had given its nod for a “lesser than P180 million” budget, which is up for final approval comes their next session Wednesday next week.
As a matter of procedure, and practice at that, the pork barrel funds form part of the checks and balances of the workings in the government, not excluding the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
Why there is a harmony now between and among the previously warring Provincial Government officials, there could be a lot of answers.
As to why should they not harmonize and put their actions together, the public must not put malice as this is natural in government dynamics.
One could not expect these officials to forever watch at each other’s backs and forget about service.
If there is any consolation, it is the unity, if one could call it, among our officials and this is a good, if not gentlemanly gesture, on their part.
Let’s forget about the elections of May 13 that had divided the officials.
As to the pork barrel funds released by the Office of the Governor to members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, let’s keep our fingers crossed, and pray that indeed, in truth, and in fact, these funds will go where they are intended, that is, the impoverished public, especially in the far-flung and needy barangays of the province.