Despite broken vow, Isabela pols back Arroyo

ILAGAN, Isabela — Promises are made to be broken but local leaders still profess support for President Arroyo’s bid for a fresh six-year mandate.

Vice Gov. Santiago Respicio recalled that Mrs. Arroyo promised to release P35 million from her calamity fund when she visited the province just after the onslaught of typhoon "Harurot" in August last year.

Isabela, one of the five provinces of Cagayan Valley, was the hardest-hit by the typhoon which left nearly P300 million in damage to infrastructure and agricultural crops.

The P35 million, Respicio said, was to be appropriated for assistance to hundreds of "Ha—rurot" victims and the repair of damaged infrastructure.

He, however, said the provincial government has yet to receive advice from the Office of the President on the release of the funds.

Respicio, however, gave assurance that provincial leaders, headed by Gov. Faustino Dy Jr., remain committed to the President despite her unfulfilled promise.

Dy earlier said that majority of incumbent local officials sealed their support for Mrs. Arroyo when they met her personally in Angeles City, Pampanga last January.

Silvestre Bello III, the government’s chief peace negotiator, assured provincial leaders that he will personally follow up the calamity fund.