In Talisay City only 4 of 12 councilors have used "pork barrel"

CEBU, Philippines - Since the Talisay City Council approved the P1-million local assistance fund for each councilors, only four out of 12 members have so far utilized the funds to sponsor projects or activities within the city.

Last year, the city council approved the 2014 annual budget of  P629 million.

Of the amount, a P14-million Local Assistance Fund (LAF) was appropriated for city councilors to implement “soft” and “hard” projects.

Aside from the councilors, the offices of the vice mayor and the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president, who are  ex-officio members of the council, have also been appropriated P2 and P1 million, respectively, courtesy of LAF.

So far, City Councilor Aldrin Diaz has set aside P70,000 from his LAF. This includes  P50,000 for the rehabilitation of a drainage system that stretches from E. H. Bascon Street to Barangay Dumlog and  P20,000 for hand-held radio communication system to be used for Barangay Cansojong.

For his part, Councilor Valeriano Ylanan has set aside P60,000 from his LAF as financial assistance for the annual cultural presentation of Barangay Linao to be block-funded by the Barangay Treasury. Linao is where Ylanan's wife serves as barangay captain. 

Ylanan explained that a resolution, with the corresponding program of work, has been passed by the Linao Barangay Council, which was the basis for the approval to set aside funds from his LAF.

Meanwhile, Councilor Antonio D. Bacaltos Jr., who is the chairman on the Committee of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Ecology and Natural Resources Management and the Committee on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources, has set aside P50,000 for Barangay San Roque’s various planned infrastructure projects.

Bacaltos said that Barangay San Roque also passed a resolution requesting for his assistance detailing their intended  infrastructure projects designed to uplift the general welfare of the constituents. 

"The resolution merits all our support since if these intended projects come to completion, they will truly redound to the benefit of all constituents of Barangay San Roque," Bacaltos said.

ABC president Raul Cabañero also set aside P16,500 for the repainting and perimeter fence of  the day care center in Barangay Bulacao. 

After assuming office last May, Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes had promised the city councilors with P1 million as a form of “pork barrel” to fund their projects for their constituents.

Talisay City Vice Mayor Romy Villarante revealed that while the LAF might be equivalent to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in terms of its purpose, he and the city council will create implementing guidelines to avoid abuse. /JMD (FREEMAN)