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SEN.
Francis Escudero is asking President Arroyo to free over
P6 billion in “impounded funds” in the 2008 national
budget which he said can be used for relief and
rehabilitation of areas ravaged by tropical storm Frank,
which caused damage thus far estimated at more than half
a billon pesos in crops, school buildings, homes and
vital infrastructure.
According to Escudero, at least P6.6 billion worth of
so-called impounded funds could be used to augment the
P2-billion Calamity Fund allocated for the year in
providing aid to typhoon victims and repair damaged
public infrastructure.
“There
is no reason why aid should come in trickles to
flood-hit areas when there are certain segments in the
national budget, other than the Calamity Fund, which can
be tapped for disaster work,” Escudero added.
The
senator said the impounded allocations include P2
billion from the Kilos Asenso Fund, P3.6 billion from
Financial Subsidy to Local Government Units, and P1
billion from the Kalayaan Barangay Fund.
“The
release of these funds is contingent on the President’s
approval. She should dig into these funds so there will
be more resources available for relief work,” Escudero
explained.
“This is
bigger than the $100,000 aid the President got from the
US State Department, one which was met with profuse
thanks from her, as if she had won the lotto, when, in
fact, she has at her easy disposal all the
above-mentioned funds to use in times like these,” he
said.
Escudero
added that the funds are classified as “lump-sum” funds
and have not been earmarked for any particular area, “so
there is flexibility and wider latitude on where to
apply these.”
He,
however, clarified that he is not suggesting the “full
diversion” of these funds to calamity areas, “only that
the latter be prioritized in the allocation.”
“Or if
there is a formula being followed in the apportioning of
these funds, then maybe Iloilo’s share be given in
advance,” Escudero said, adding that local government
leaders he had consulted confirmed that “they have yet
to receive any allotment from Kilos Asenso or Kalayaan
Barangay—which means that these funds technically are
still on embargo.”
For
instance, he said both Rep. Ferjenel Biron of Iloilo’ s
Fourth District and Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico have been
complaining about the “slow government response” to the
devastation in their province. |
