Use pork to ease poverty, Noli urges lawmakers

Vice President Noli de Castro asked lawmakers yesterday to help the government raise between P12 billion to P15 billion to finance President Arroyo’s pro-poor programs.

"Nananawagan ako sa ating mga mambabatas na makiisa sa ating Pangulo at pamahalaan sa kagustuhan nating labanan ang kahirapan," he said.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission alternate chairman said the lawmakers can allocate money from their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the anti-poverty projects of Mrs. Arroyo.

Mrs. Arroyo has tasked De Castro to lead the national campaign against poverty.

Meanwhile, De Castro said yesterday town hall meetings or Pulong Bayan should be held regularly as an effective and faster way of getting to know the people’s problems.

"Sa ganitong paraan, mas madali naming malalaman ni Pangulong Arroyo ang mga problema ng ating mga kababayan at kung paanong matutugunan kaagad ang kanilang karaingan," he said.

De Castro joined Mrs. Arroyo in their first town hall meeting Wednesday in Barangay Don Bosco in Parañaque.

During the Pulong Bayan, barangay residents discussed with Mrs. Arroyo and De Castro problems in water distribution, housing, classrooms, and school buildings.

In her State of the Nation Address (SONA), Mrs. Arroyo said her pro-poor agenda are:

• Job-generation;

• Provision for clean water;

• Electricity and low cost medicines;

• Tripling of micro-loans; and

• Providing quality education for all. — Pia Lee-Brago