Supporters should know why they want ‘pork’ out

CEBU, Philippines - Local organizers of the “People’s Congress” against the discretionary funds in government underscored the importance of supporters knowing fully what they are fighting for.

Businessman Marc Canton, one of the convenors of the Anti-Pork Coalition in Cebu, said that many may have heard about the pork barrel but may not necessarily understand what the funds are really for and how these are being disbursed.

“There’s a need to educate our people,” Canton said during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

Fr. Carmelo Diola, Dilaab Foundation Executive Director, agrees, but said he is confident that education will trickle down to the grassroots with the help of the church and religious organizations.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and other religious organizations are supporting the people’s initiative.

 Canton said they are happy with the turnout of the People’s Congress last Saturday, which was also attended by residents from other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. Around 1,000 joined, much more than the 500 organizers expected.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has explained why he, a Church official, decided to take part in a “political endeavor” despite the separation of church and state.

 “Despite the many concerns of the Eucharistic members, I tell the priests to get involved because this too is a very, very important work of the church. I told them, that the church in the modern world, that the joys and hopes, that the cares and concerns of good peoples and also the joys and hopes and the cares and concerns of the church leaders and the church members,” Palma said.

 The People’s Initiative launch in Cebu was a collaborative effort of nationwide coalitions like the Cebu Coalition Against Pork, Scrap Pork, Abolish Pork, and Epirma, among others.

 People’s Initiatives campaign organizers are targeting to gather six million signatures nationwide for the complete abolition of the pork barrel fund. The six million signatures represent 10 percent of the total voting population in the country.  —(FREEMAN)