TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The outrage against the pork barrel that took its toll on the congressional programs in the districts, especially on students' scholarships, has prompted two congressmen of Bohol to start looking for other ways to finance their projects.
Representatives Rene Relampagos (1st district, Bohol) and Arthur Yap (3rd dist.) have already started finding ways to stretch the budget from the Priority Development Assistance Fund as medical aid and scholarship of college students in private institutions are now in danger of having no more funds to keep these running.
Archie Lungay, Relampagos' chief of staff, admitted their programs, which have been relying on the PDAF, are now already affected by the pork controversy.
"There is danger that all the PDAF programs of Relampagos might be suspended, such as scholarship, medical assistance, burial assistance and livelihood programs. This came after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against PDAF releases this year," said Lungay.
Yap, for his part, said the public reaction against PDAF is understandable and he is willing to submit for detailed identification of projects just to give back the people's access to the fund.
"I can understand the public outrage about the PDAF and I join the clamor to re-examine it. But as one of the congressmen who have allocated all their funds to constituents who need the funds for their water, bridges, roads, scholarships, livelihood, and medical/hospitalization, I can say that the funds can really help where the national and local government cannot," he said.
Yap hoped things would be back to normal and might be better after the controversies. "When the passion and outrage have passed, I hope that these funds can be returned even if we have to do a line by line identification of projects," he added.
Yap also welcomed anybody who wanted to check the record where his PDAF went to, saying that his records are open and verifiable to see who the beneficiaries of his programs were.
Both Relampagos and Yap has joined the clamor to re-examine the PDAF of legislators, to set the record straight and have a fresh start to clean governance and regain the trust and confidence of the people.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education is now drafting new guidelines in identifying PDAF scholars, in which the benefit would be limited to students in government institutions.
Relampagos has 2,000 applicants for scholarship this school year, while Yap has at least 300 out of 2,000 scholars enrolled in private universities and colleges. The funds for these scholars came from their PDAF.
Governor Edgar Chatto also told The Freeman that the LGU has already considered in the budget deliberation that many of those dependent on the PDAF of congressmen might troop to the Capitol later on. As such, the provincial government has augmented its Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program. (FREEMAN)