Nograles expresses support for realignment of CDF

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles expressed support yesterday for the proposal to realign one-fourth of the P70-million annual countryside development funds or pork barrel of each congressman to expedite the release of funds for the rehabilitation of typhoon-ravaged areas.

He said the proposal should be “voluntary and not compulsory” because while most lawmakers want to help, particularly those whose districts were adversely affected by tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng,” some congressmen have not yet recovered from their own problems.

“It’s a good idea and I would even support proposals to increase public works funding in areas hit by Ondoy and Pepeng, but I think that this re-alignment should not be compulsory,” he said.

He cited Panay Island, which has not yet recovered from the devastation caused by typhoon “Frank” that hit the area in June 2008.

Nograles pointed out that congressmen, especially those from affected districts, would not even think twice about using their allotted development funds for repair and rehabilitation programs for their constituents.

“Congressmen in affected areas would be more than willing to put all their allocations for repair and rehabilitation. But the districts not affected may part with their funds voluntarily as they also have commitments to their respective constituencies,” he said.

“Please remember that when typhoon Frank devastated Panay, until now there is no such call for realignment, (not even for) the massive flood in Leyte,” the Speaker added.

Majority Leader Arthur Defensor said the recently approved House-Senate Joint Resolution for a P12-billion supplemental fund for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and other works and services would cover the unfinished reconstruction in Panay.

“We were hit by typhoon Frank which brought the area to its knees. Reconstruction work must be done simultaneous with the needed relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Luzon, including Metro Manila, devastated by Ondoy and Frank,” Defensor said. – With Jess Diaz