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Cebu City Council approves P10B budget for 2021
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Council put its foot down on the city’s budget for 2021 on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, approving only P10 billion instead of the P10.8 billion proposed by Mayor Edgardo Labella. The approved budget is P400 million lower than the 2020 annual budget, which was at P10.4 billion. Read: […] The post Cebu City Council approves P10B budget for 2021 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu City Council approves P1.9 billion supplemental budget
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved the Supplemental Budget Number 3 that contains the allocation for aid to affected residents during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) after almost a month-long discussion. After a six-hour regular session on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, the council, though, decided to decrease the supplemental budget from […] The post Cebu City Council approves P1.9 billion supplemental budget appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Marcos approves release of P9.7 billion unprogrammed funds for DPWH projects
President Marcos has approved the release of P9.7 billion from the unprogrammed funds for public works and road repair whose original budget was slashed and included in the P60 billion in last-minute insertions in the 2024 national budget by some members of the House of Representatives......»»
That extra step: How TV Patrol verified Rep. Paolo Duterte s questionable PHP51-billion infrastructure budget
CHEERS TO ABS-CBN's TV Patrol for its report that confirmed that Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte received a total of PHP51 billion for infrastructure projects from 2020 to 2022, when his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was still in o.....»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
Cong. Pulong Duterte got P51-B budget in three years
It was his own statement about having his district budget reduced this year that got House members to probe and discover that Davao City First District Representative Paolo ‘Pulong’ Duterte, son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, had received P51 billion in the past years......»»
Cebu City Council slashes Rama’s proposed P100B budget to P25B
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s proposed P100 billion budget for 2024 was reduced to P25 billion by the City Council, which overrode the mayor’s veto. Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, vice chairperson of the council’s Committee on Budget and Finance, confirmed the decision on Wednesday, Jan. 24, emphasizing that all provisions in the.....»»
BARMM’s 2024 budget: nearly P100-B a year before transition gov’t steps down in favor of elected
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 December) – The Bangsamoro Parliament has approved the proposed P98.5 billion budget of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for 2024, the last full-year budget that will be implemented by the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) before the transition government steps down on June 30, 2025 and the first […].....»»
Cebu Daily Newscast: Cebu City’s 2024 budget slashed from P100 Billion to P20 Billion
Here are the day’s top stories in this Thursday’s edition of Cebu Daily Newscast: Cebu City’s 2024 budget slashed from P100 Billion to P20 Billion The proposed budget for Cebu City’s operations in 2024, initially set at an ambitious P100 billion, has been slashed to just over P22 billion. This was after the city council.....»»
Cebu City’s 2024 budget slashed from P100 Billion to P20 Billion
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The proposed budget for Cebu City’s operations in 2024, initially set at an ambitious P100 billion, has been slashed to just over P20 billion. This after the city council approved the amended budget during the council’s regular session on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. The annual budget ordinance was authored by City.....»»
Proposed P7.4B Mandaue City budget approved on 2nd reading
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – The proposed 2024 annual budget for Mandaue City, amounting to P7.4 billion, was approved on the second reading without amendments during the city council session on Wednesday, Nov. 29. This budget includes the funding for the construction of a new government center at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). Next year’s.....»»
BARMM proposes P98-B budget
COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has formally submitted the proposed budget for the region’s 2024 fiscal year, totaling P98.46 billion with education, infrastructure and health as the top three priorities. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim Al Haj on Wednesday said that he personally handed over the proposed Bangsamoro Expenditure Program for 2024 to Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong during a symbolic ceremony held on Tuesday. Ebrahim said education emerged as the top priority, securing the largest share of the proposed budget with an allocation of P30.2 billion, stressing that the amount reflects the region’s commitment to enhancing the educational landscape in BARMM, aiming to provide better opportunities for its residents. The allocation will be used by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education to fund various education programs, scholarships and the development of schools and learning centers, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all, Ebrahim explained. Following closely is infrastructure, receiving a substantial budget of P17.6 billion from the Ministry of Public Works, which signals BARMM’s dedication to developing its physical infrastructure to strengthen economic growth, connectivity and a better quality of life for the Bangsamoro people. MPW Minister Arch. Eduard Guerra said that they intend to expedite the construction and maintenance of essential infrastructure facilities, such as flood management, bridges and water systems. The post BARMM proposes P98-B budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Food stamp program to be implemented nationwide July next year — DSWD
From the pilot implementation of the food stamp program, targeting an initial 3,000 families this year, it will be scaled up to 300,000 households by July 2024, just in time for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order No. 44 aiming for the “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program” to be implemented in full swing. Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo Punay disclosed this at yesterday:s Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. Punay said the Department is finishing the pilot implementation of the program in five pilot sites –Tondo, Manila; Dapa, Siargao; San Mariano in Isabela; Garchitorena in Camarines Sur; and Parang, Maguindano that will run until mid-next year. It includes 3,000 families identified by the pilot implementer, the World Food Program funded with a $3 million grant from the Asian Development Bank. "Now, come next year, we’ll have the full run, the full implementation of the program which targets one million households po talaga iyan nationwide – our food-poor families nationwide. And next year when we scale-up, there will be 300,000 beneficiaries (number), household. And parte po nitong declaration ni President, EO44, ng kaniyang order is iyong provision ng budget po. Kasama po iyan kaya na-institutionalize, may budget na po—magkakaroon po tayo ng budget sa GAA, sa national budget ng ating pamahalaan," Punay explained referring to the P6 billion budgetary requirement for the program which the Department of Budget and Management has already committed. Punay said they will prioritize 30 to 40 provinces identified by the National Nutrition Council with the highest incidence of malnutrition and hunger. Under the program, the DSWD will provide electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that will be loaded with food credits amounting to P3,000 per month to purchase a select list of food commodities from DSWD-registered or -accredited retailers. The food credits shall be allocated to carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice at P1,500, 30 percent for proteins like meat at P900, and 20 percent for fruits, vegetables, oil, salt, as well as condiments at P600. The food stamp Program will run until 2027 and will require a total estimated budget of P40 billion as it targets one million food-poor families or those earning less than P8,000 in a month. Punay said they will gradually increase the number of beneficiaries from 300,000 in the first year, to another 300,000 in the second year, and 400,000 in the third for a total of one million food-poor household beneficiaries. The post Food stamp program to be implemented nationwide July next year — DSWD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Free ride at Edsa Bus Carousel back next month
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III on Monday happily announced that Libreng Sakay (free ride) for Edsa Bus Carousel and jeepneys will return this November until the end of 2023. At a press conference in Quezon City where jeepney associations are supposed to air their grievances over the government subsidy, Guadiz said the free ride program for jeepneys and buses will return on 1 November. Guadiz said this was after the joint circular for releasing the P1.3 billion fund for the service contracting program had been approved. The particular vehicles offering free rides will ply across the National Capital Region, and not just along Edsa. "This month we will release the budget. We will bring back Libreng Sakay. We will start with Metro Manila. It will include jeepneys," he said. "Iyong P1.3 billion tapos na po iyong joint memorandum circular. Ibaba na po ang pera. Alam mo ang hinahabol namin doon November-December para maagang pamaskong handog ng LTFRB," he added. The fund he explained is intended to pay the service contracting program. “Kung dati po, hanggang sa mga bus sa Edsa Carousel, ngayon pati mga jeepneys," the LTFRB Chair said. The post Free ride at Edsa Bus Carousel back next month appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go shows full support to Filipino athletes in 19th Asian Games
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, articulated his deep sense of pride for Filipino athletes participating in the 19th Asian Games being held in Hangzhou City, China, from 23 September to 8 October. The senator personally traveled to China to show his full support for the Philippine delegation early this week. He also attended live competitions, including the recent match between Gilas Pilipinas and Iran at Zijingang Gymnasium, Zhejiang University on 3 October. “Nakapanood din tayo ng ilang live competitions, gaya na lang ng nakaraang laban ng Gilas Pilipinas kontra sa Iran," he said. “Masarap talaga ang pakiramdam bilang isang Pilipino dahil muling nagwagi ang pambato natin sa basketball na Gilas Pilipinas,” he shared. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, expressed his appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the athletes, coaches, national sports associations and staff, as well as the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission and other agencies who worked hard to support the Philippine delegation. "Bilang chair ng Senate Committee on Sports, taus-puso kong pinupuri at pinasasalamatan ang mga manlalaro nating ibinibigay ang lahat para itaas ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa ginaganap na kumpetisyon," he said. Meanwhile, Go also congratulated Gilas Pilipinas for their historic win over China in the semifinals on October 4, which secured their spot in the gold medal match against Jordan. He praised Justin Brownlee for his clutch performance that led the team to a stunning comeback from a 20-point deficit. The senator also expressed his excitement for the upcoming gold medal match between Gilas Pilipinas and Jordan. He said he will be cheering for the team as they aim to win the country’s first-ever Asian Games gold in basketball. The match is scheduled for 6 October. Go then lauded jiu-jitsu fighter Margarita "Meggie" Ochoa for winning the second gold medal for the Philippines on 5 October. Ochoa defeated Balqees Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates in the final match of the women's –48 kg division. She joined pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena as the country's gold medalists in this edition of the Asian Games. “Samantala, ang boxer na si Eumir Marcial ay pasok na rin sa Asian Games finals matapos niyang ma-knockout ang Syrian boxer na si Ahmad Ghousoon sa men's 80kg weight class nitong October 4. Dahil dito, haharapin ni Eumir sa finals si Tanglatihan Tuohetaerbieke ng China para sa gold medal. Pasok na rin si Eumir sa 2024 Paris Olympics,” Go also mentioned. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also been a strong advocate for increased funding for sports programs. He revealed that last year's proposed budget for the Philippine Sports Commission was approximately P200 million. However, he pushed for an additional P1 billion, thereby significantly enhancing the financial support for athletes in international competitions. "Dahil dito, nakapagbigay tayo ng pinansyal na suporta para sa mga atletang lumahok sa mga international competitions," he added. This move paved the way for the provision of financial support for athletes participating in international competitions, including the recent 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and the ongoing Asian Games in China. Go also emphasized the importance of grassroots sports development, saying, “Tinututukan din natin ang grassroots sports development upang mahubog ang mga kabataan nasaan man sila sa bansa na nagnanais na sumabak sa mga pambansa at pandaigdigang palaro.” In line with this, he highlighted his role as the author and co-sponsor of RA 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Tarlac. "Ang NAS ay nagbibigay ng de-kalidad na edukasyon at sports training sa mga batang may potensyal na maging world-class athletes," he added. Additionally, Go filed SBN 423, or the Philippine National Games (PNG) Act, to institutionalize a national platform for athletes, especially the youth, to showcase their talents. "Sa pamamagitan ng PNG, mas maraming talento ang mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na makilala at mapabilang sa ating mga national team," he said. The senator also continues to support the implementation of sports clinics, community leagues, and the provision of sports equipment in rural areas. "Sabi ko nga palagi, ‘get into sports and stay away from drugs!’" he advised. Go called on all Filipinos to continue supporting and praying for all athletes competing in the Asian Games and other competitions. "Ang kanilang tagumpay ay tagumpay ng buong sambayanang Pilipino! Laban, Pilipinas! Ipakita natin ang puso ng Pilipino na lumalaban hanggang dulo!" he exclaimed. "Go, go, go for the gold!" he cheered. As of 5 October, the Philippines has two golds, one silver, and nine bronze medals in the ongoing Asian Games. The post Bong Go shows full support to Filipino athletes in 19th Asian Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P1B for Marawi victims, a cruel joke (2)
Throwback. Through our pen, we appealed to the government several times to create a Truth Commission to investigate the ruination of Marawi City so that it may pick up one or two ideas on how to combat urban terrorism and be ready to deal with a similar tragedy. But our pleas fell on deaf ears. Our unspoken purpose was to prove that while the siege triggered the war, the heavy loss of lives and damage were inflicted by government forces. And this could have been minimized if the government had adopted an open mind about solutions to the impasse. There were overtures for the surrender of the much-outnumbered and outgunned rebels, but these were rejected by the government. For what reason? This column does not buy the claim of critics that it was to justify the imposition of martial law, which did happen, or the wild indictment that the government wanted to test the modern new armaments it had acquired from foreign countries, including fighter jets and pilot training. Marawi presented an opportunity for the experiment. It was not likewise the bravado of army centurions who wanted to show that their forces were capable of fighting in dense forest jungles where they were trained and in the jungle of high-rise urban structures. These are innuendoes and claims which could have been validated or invalidated through investigation. What was proven was the recklessness, if not sheer incompetence, of our jet fighter pilots who bombed places kilometers from their intended targets. In our barangay, Tolali, there was a disastrous mis-hit of a target that killed about 10 Marines, which some Maranaws described as the law of “morka” or karma in action. Why resuscitate these tales? It is to show that the heavy damage was caused by government forces which, by the dictates of any law of any society, be it international or international human rights, moral, divine, including the Code of Hammurabi and Kalantiaw, the culprit is obliged to pay for the damage it inflicted. The amount of reparations should be reasonable or at least proximate to their claim. That is why when the Department of Budget and Management dangled the amount of P1 billion as compensation for Marawi victims, it was met with disbelief, which led to a spirited protest. Unkind words were expressed by victims whose consciences were revolted. They could not believe that the policymakers could be so insensitive to the cry for justice by a segment of Philippine society that had suffered historical injustice from foreign invaders and their own government. The radicals among them cried state terrorism — no wonder the fire of secession and independence still burns in the hearts of many Moros. The situation tends to ignite more hostility towards the government. We hate to picture a situation where about half of the validated claims of victims will be paid and the other half unpaid after five years when the compensation stops. God forbid we will see dystopia and brewing sedition or revolution in our midst, and there is no need for millions in confidential and intelligence funds to predict its occurrence. The deliberations in the House of Representatives, which were uploaded on social media, were revealing. Rep. Mujiv Hataman of the lone district of Basilan, a veteran legislator who expresses his views vividly with his command of the national language, was in his element asking scathing questions of the sponsor of the budgetary bill, Congresswoman Stella Quimbo. Very clearly, she was groping for facts, figures, and explanations from officials of the Department of Budget to answer Rep. Hataman. Even with masteral and doctorate degrees tucked in her belt, she was no match for Hataman, who displayed Socratic maieutic in fielding questions. In another session, the region’s favorite son, Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, bewailed the inequity and injustice of proposing only P1B for the Marawi victims. He got the DBM’s commitment to find a way to increase the Marawi compensation budget. And so we pray our policymakers will open their hearts and minds to the clamor for increased appropriations for the Marawi victims in the name of justice, equity and magnanimity. *** amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post P1B for Marawi victims, a cruel joke (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SBG rallies support for Filipino athletes in 19th Asian Games
Senator Bong Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, recently expressed his full support for Filipino athletes participating in the ongoing 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou City, China. "Suportahan natin ang mga kababayan nating sumasabak sa kasalukuyang 19th Asian Games sa Hangzhou City, China," he said in a statement upon arriving in China to show his personal support to the Philippine delegation. “Bilang chair ng Senate Committee on Sports, taus-puso kong pinupuri at pinasasalamatan ang mga manlalaro nating ibinibigay ang lahat para itaas ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa ginaganap na kompetisyon. Manalo man o matalo, ang importante ay magkaisa tayo para sa ating mga atletang Pilipino!” added the senator. "Our unity is the best form of moral support to inspire our competing athletes to give their best. Let us all rally behind them as they continue to bring glory to our country. Laban Pilipinas! Ipakita natin ang puso ng Pilipino na lumalaban hanggang dulo!" he said. As of 2 October, the Philippines has won one gold, one silver, and eight bronze medals at the Games so far. The country's lone gold medal was won by Ernest John Obiena in Athletics, specifically in the men's pole vault event. Arnel Mandal added a silver medal to the tally in the men's 56kg wushu competition. The bronze medalists include Patrick King Perez in Taekwondo's men's individual poomsae, Jones Llabres Inso in Wushu's men's taijiquan/taijijian all-around, Gideon Fred Padua in wushu's men's 60kg, and Clemente Tabugara Jr in wushu's men's 65kg. In Tennis, Alexandra Eala secured a bronze in Women's singles and another bronze in Mixed doubles alongside Francis Casey Alcantara. Eleven Ando also captured bronze in the women's weightlifting 64kg division. Rounding out the bronze medalists is Patrick Bren Coo in Cycling BMX racing for Men. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has strongly advocated for increased funding for sports programs under the Philippine Sports Commission, particularly in support of athletes competing in international competitions this year. "During the budget deliberation last year, ang ipinasa po na budget ng PSC more or less about P200 million. Ako po mismo sa Senado bilang inyong chairman po ng Committee on Sports and as vice chair ng Committee on Finance, isinulong ko talaga na madagdagan po ng P1 billion po ang pondo ng Philippine Sports Commission," he said. This move secured financial support for athletes participating in international competitions, including the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and the current Asian Games in China. He disclosed an allocation of P50 million through the PSC for the Asian Games, along with P30 million specifically for Asian para-games. To promote greater inclusivity and equality in sports, Go also proposed Senate Bill No. 2116, which aims to amend Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. The bill seeks to provide enhanced financial incentives and benefits for para-athletes who represent the Philippines in international competitions. He emphasized the need for increased incentives for para-athletes, stating, "Sana po’y ma-increase naman rin po ang kanilang incentives na natatanggap dahil ‘yung honor po na dala nila sa ating bayan, pareho naman po ‘yong gold, silver, bronze at pinaghirapan rin po nila." In line with his advocacy for grassroots sports development, Go also championed the National Academy of Sports, a fully operational institution located in New Clark City in Tarlac which was enacted into law that he authored and co-sponsored. Go is also prioritizing the institutionalization of the Philippine National Games as a platform to scout and recruit athletes for the national pool. He filed SBN 423, or the proposed PNG Act, which seeks to create a nationwide platform for athletes, particularly the youth, to display their abilities. The Asian Games is being held from 23 September to 8 October. The event was originally scheduled for 2022 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The post SBG rallies support for Filipino athletes in 19th Asian Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sara Duterte’s P2.7B confidential expenses as Davao mayor should be probed—Castro
Davao City’s confidential expenses that ballooned to P2.697 billion during Vice President Sara Duterte’s stint as mayor should be probed by the Commission on Audit, a lawmaker said Monday. The call for investigation was prompted by the 2022 report of the CoA, which found that Davao City spent P2.697 billion on confidential expenses between 2016 to 2022, or an average of PP385.3 million per year over the preceding six years. Duterte served as the Davao City mayor from 2016 to 2022 before she assumed the VP post in July of last year. Based on CoA findings, Davao City incurred P144 million of confidential expenses in 2016, which was more than doubled to P293 million in 2017 and further climbed to P420 million in 2018. The city’s confidential fund expenses further grew to P460 million in 2019 and were maintained consistently for the subsequent years of 2020, 2021, and 2022. In an interview on Monday, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, who sought the CoA probe, stressed that the P2.697 billion totality of confidential expenses of Davao City in the previous six years “could have been utilized more effectively to benefit the education sector, specifically by providing much-needed support to teachers.” “We were shocked also [by] the report of the CoA. With this controversy of confidential funds, we are thinking of asking the CoA to investigate,” she said. “The CoA should file an audit observation memo and then ask them to explain maybe the misuse of funds and then file necessary legal action.” She added, “Imagine more than a million a day spent for the confidential funds in a city. I just wonder how it was spent and where it was spent. So, we want the CoA to review if the city government of Davao City led by Vice President Sara Duterte by then really followed the guidelines or the joint circular 2015-01.” The said joint circular outlined by CoA with the Departments of Budget and Management, National Defense, and of the Interior and Local Government, and Governance Commission for GOCCs, contains guidelines on the entitlement, release, use, reporting, and audit of confidential and intelligence funds that are in the General Appropriations Act. Daily Tribune has been asking for Duterte’s comment, but she remained mum on the issue. While Castro admitted that the local government units are entitled to confidential funds for peace and order maintenance, it was “ironic” that Duterte sought allocation of such funds given that she claimed Davao City was “very peaceful, disciplined, and well” during her tenure. "So why is it necessary to have an increasingly confidential fund?" the lawmaker stressed, noting such a fund should be used for other fruitful endeavors. "I remember the time the teachers of Davao City were asking for city allowance, but she did not grant it. Instead, she refused and even got mad with ACT (Alliance of Concerned Teachers) during that time," Castro pointed out. While none in the law limits the amount of confidential funds, the militant lawmaker pointed out that it should be rationalized. A proposed law aimed at imposing a cap and limit on confidential funds, streamlining the allocation of such that would promote transparency and accountability, is currently being crafted, according to Castro. It will be filed in Congress when the session resumes in November. The post Sara Duterte’s P2.7B confidential expenses as Davao mayor should be probed—Castro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P1B for Marawi victims a cruel joke (1)
I beg my readers’ kind indulgence for using this column as a platform to air our grievances. This is something personal to us, and it is my moral obligation to add my voice to the public indignation sweeping a part of Morolandia. For transparency and disclosure, my family was a victim of the war and is seeking compensation for the damage to our precious possessions. Having said that, as the national budget deliberations for 2024 draw to a near conclusion, the public discourse in Morolandia on the compensation for the 2017 Marawi Siege victims heightened. It’s the issue much discussed in public fora, coffee shops, and social media platforms of Muslims. The Moro attention is largely riveted to the budget deliberations in the House of Representatives, where the budget bill originates by provision of the Constitution. Social media likewise reported the hearing conducted by the Oversight Committee for the Marawi Compensation Law jointly chaired by Senator Ronald dela Rosa and Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. According to reports, P1 billion is proposed in the 2024 budget for compensation, which is the same amount appropriated in the current budget, alarmed resident victims. They have reason to fear that P1 billion is becoming the appropriation template for the ensuing years. The Marawi Compensation Board or MCB, created to process, approve and pay legitimate claims, will fold the tent and become a functus oficio in 2028 because the law provides for a five-year life span. Let’s do the math. If the budget is not increased, the aggregate appropriation for Marawi victims will only be P5 billion, which is ridiculously insufficient vis-a-vis the number of victims and the magnitude of their claims. From an unofficial report, we gathered that “as of 18 September 2023, there were 75 death claims, 74 structural claims, 1,858 other properties claims, and 4,041 multiple claims. Hence, there were 6,048 claims as of the latest report by the in-take team from July to September. (And) 362 claims have been evaluated or are ready for final deliberation.” The claims statistics are increasing exponentially by the day, with the list of claimants getting longer. The MCB asks for something like P10 billion or more as an aggregate ballpark figure to compensate all the victims. The sparse appropriation has triggered unkind comments from citizens calling the proposed amount outrageously deficient, cruel jokes and insulting the victims. While the public is amused by the stories in tri- and social media on funding for projects that are less urgent — like the millions needed for the confidential and intelligence funds of agencies to address “kuno” (allegedly) the threat of terrorism — here we have a situation where the threat of terrorism is real. Our security and intelligence authorities will tell you that the remnants of the ISIS-affiliated Maute Dawliyah Islamia group are just around the corner, engaged in sporadic hit-and-run guerrilla ambushes to make their presence known. Terrorist cells are confirmed to be existing in the hinterlands of Morolandia. The disgruntled victims of the Marawi war are easy prey for recruitment by the dissidents. There is no denying the depth and scale of the damage sustained by the Marawi victims of the war. The whole world was watching on their television sets for months the daily telenovela-like bombing of the city in what Confucious described as “burning the house to catch a rat.” We have written numerous published articles pleading for cessation of the bombing, but the thrashing by state authorities continued. We note with gratitude the public expression of support by Senator De la Rosa, chair of the Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation, who spent years studying at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, along with Muslim Senator Robinhood Padilla. Senator Risa Hontiveros, in her recent trip to Marawi, saw for herself the progress of the claims processing and has likewise committed support. The list of senators and House representatives joining the chorus of support is getting longer. (To be continued) amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post P1B for Marawi victims a cruel joke (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quimbo: OVP dispersed P125M in 11 days
Vice President Sara Duterte’s office spent P125 million in confidential funds in merely 11 days in 2022 — not 19 days — as initially claimed by some opposition lawmakers. The revelation was made by Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo during the sponsorship debate for the P13.36-billion budget of the Commission on Audit for 2024. Quimbo said she was surprised when she learned that the P125 million confidential fund was spent within 19 days, thus she asked the CoA and looked at the various reports. “It was not spent in 19 days, but 11,” she pointed out. The P125 million was part of the P221.42-million contingency fund of the Office of the President that was transferred to the OVP in 2022. Confidential funds are costs associated with operations carried out by civilian government agencies that require secrecy. They are the equivalent of intelligence funds for the uniformed and allied services. The OVP submitted its liquidation report in January 2023 and was issued an audit observation memorandum, or AOM, on 18 September 2023 by state auditors, said Quimbo, citing the CoA. Government agencies have only 15 days to respond to an AOM. The CoA, meanwhile, pledged that Congress will be furnished a copy of the full report on 15 November 2023 as the audit is still ongoing. OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac told reporters the office has yet to receive the AOM from CoA. The transfer of the multi-million-peso fund from the OP to the OVP has sparked intense debate in Congress, with the opposition claiming it was unconstitutional since there was no line item in the OVP’s 2022 budget on confidential funds in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. Former vice president Leni Robredo, who prepared the 2022 budget of the OVP, said there was no line item for confidential funds in the budget she and her staff crafted. The Department of Budget and Management had defended the legality of the transfer in a letter to Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, chair of the House Committee on Appropriations. The post Quimbo: OVP dispersed P125M in 11 days appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»