New memo to "unburden" PB members, secretary

CEBU, Philippines - Doing away with Provincial Board (PB) resolutions releasing financial assistance charged against their discretionary funds saves time and a lot of papers, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia explained yesterday.

The governor had issued a memorandum providing for a new, shorter system in releasing the Legislative Assistance Fund (LAF), which in a way serves as pork barrel of each PB member.

Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr., however, said that there is a need for a resolution because the LAF is under the Vice Governor’s Office. By the name itself, he said, it is obvious that the fund is under the control of the legislative department.

 When reporters visited his office yesterday, Sanchez tried to locate the item Legislative Assistance Fund in the approved annual budget, but he could not find it.

Sanchez promised to provide the details of the LAF today. He believes that by issuing the memorandum, Gov. Garcia is acting like a dictator.

In explaining her new order, Gov. Garcia said that she only wants to put a line between executive and legislative functions, lest people will be confused.

 For many years, the release of money for barangays charged against the LAF had the long route of being a proposed resolution from a certain PB member, to be included in the agenda for a regular session. After it is approved in a session, the secretary would make several copies and have it signed by the vice governor, before actual paperwork on the money’s release could start.

 Without the need to be dealing with resolutions for LAF that comprise most items in a session’s agenda, the PB could now focus on real legislative work, said the governor.

 Gov. Garcia added that the new scheme would also fast track the release of funds, as a request from the barangay would only need a cover letter as endorsement from the PB member. This way, she said the executive department could also closely monitor the release of Capitol’s money.

 She cited the previous investigation they did for a barangay in Tuburan, wherein six kilometers of road were reported to have been constructed. After actual inspection, what was seen was only more than 1 kilometer of road.

Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla cited as legal basis for the governor’s memorandum Section 465 (b) of the Local Government Code. This provision empowers the governor to exercise “general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services and activities of the Provincial Government.”

The new system, according to Martinquilla, will “expedite, streamline and rationalize the processing, release, and immediate implementation of all projects and assistance of the Provincial Government to the people in every barangays.”

In the first place, the governor stressed, the LAF which is the PB’s version of pork barrel, is not a right or an “entitlement” for the provincial lawmakers.

 Rather, she said, it is a concession given to them considering that barangay officials under their respective districts also approach them seeking monetary aid.   (FREEMAN NEWS)