In Talisay City two councilors exhaust LAF allocations

CEBU, Philippines -  Talisay City Councilors Raul Cabañero and Antonio Bacaltos can no longer appropriate financial assistance intended for the implementation of development projects in the barangays after their legislative assistance fund allocations for the third quarter were already consumed.

Each of the 11 councilors including Cabañero, who is an ex-officio member in the council representing the Association of Barangay Councils, was allotted P500,000 for their projects and programs under the LAF-Legislative Office.

LAF is similar to what used to be the Priority Development Assistance Fund of members of Congress, which the Supreme Court had declared as unconstitutional.

According to Geraldine Padillo, the executive assistant of Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, the two councilors already exhausted their LAF to various projects.

Padillo said the amount was divided by quarter. Each quarter, they were appropriated P125,000 excluding the 10 percent retention of the amount.

"Naa sila'y mga pending request charging to their LAF pero ato sa ning i-withhold kay wala naman nahabilin sa ilang appropriation for this quarter," Padillo said.

The councilors usually use the money for community projects in their areas, Padillo said, adding that Cabañero has the most number of appropriations because he has several requests especially that he represents the 22 barangays.

Also, Bacaltos spent big amount of his LAF in the early month of the third quarter for the purchase of 300 chairs and tents, including the construction of multi-purpose hall in Poblacion.

Apart from their P500-million LAF, Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes set aside P500,000 each for the councilors that will be taken from his mayor's funds.

Villarante, the council presiding officer, said the city councilors utilize their LAF either as infrastructure fund, social and development fund and for providing assistance to local residents as the need arises.

The city councilor's LAF allocation is incorporated in the annual budget of the local government.  (FREEMAN)