Andaya reveals disparity in flood control budgets
Published Dec 19, 2018 08:23 pm
By Ben Rosario
Flood-prone and densely populated Tondo, Manila, will receive only P74 million while sparsely peopled and a safely tucked town in Bicol will get P325 million for their respective flood control projects.
Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. bared this Wednesday, citing it as an example of how disproportionate and unfair Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno distributed flood control funds this year.
House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr. (FILE / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Noting that Diokno would do his best to evade the issue, Andaya said the House leadership has decided not to summon him anymore in the ongoing congressional inquiry into alleged irregularities in the earmarking of infrastructure funds in the proposed national budget.
Instead, the Lower House will call to the probe Flood Control Mitigation Director Patrick Gatan to explain government’s flood control mitigation priorities next year.
Andaya said Diokno has the obligation to explain why he ignored the flood control mitigation master plan recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) when he proposed the allocation of huge government funds for the Sorsogon town where his daughter’s in-law is the incumbent mayor.
Diokno has claimed that he had been directed not to attend congressional hearings called in connection with the budget controversy.
The budget chief was earlier grilled during a Question Hour of the Lower House over alleged insertion into the proposed 2019 national budget of some P75 billion in so-called “parked pork barrel funds.”
Andaya told a press conference that Diokno and other officials have been trying to muddle the issue about the budgeting controversy by injecting the Road Board abolition as a diversionary move.
Diokno, together with former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, said control of the P45-billion motor vehicle users fund (MVUC) that is being managed by the Road Board is the reason for the actions of the current leaders of the Lower House.
Diokno had claimed that Andaya and Minority Leader Danilo Suarez want a big chunk of the MVUC for their respective road maintenance and safety projects.
However, the names of Andaya and Suarez, even that of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are not included in the list of proponents of projects to be funded out of the MVUC.
Andaya said Diokno and Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo were apparently “misinformed” about Presiden Duterte’s stand on the Road Board.
Contrary to the claim of Diokno and Panelo that Duterte wants the Road Board abolished, the Chief Executive wants the agency to continue operating, Andaya said.
According to Andaya the President made this clear when he personally told him and Arroyo that he thumbed down the resignation of Road Board Executive Director Luisito Clavano.
The House official also slammed senators for insisting on adopting a House bill that provides for the abolition of the Road Board.
The bill was passed on third reading by the Lower House but was later recalled by the chamber before Senate could adopt the House version.
Andaya said that bill cannot be enrolled for approval by the President without the conformity of congressmen.
House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr. (FILE / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Noting that Diokno would do his best to evade the issue, Andaya said the House leadership has decided not to summon him anymore in the ongoing congressional inquiry into alleged irregularities in the earmarking of infrastructure funds in the proposed national budget.
Instead, the Lower House will call to the probe Flood Control Mitigation Director Patrick Gatan to explain government’s flood control mitigation priorities next year.
Andaya said Diokno has the obligation to explain why he ignored the flood control mitigation master plan recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) when he proposed the allocation of huge government funds for the Sorsogon town where his daughter’s in-law is the incumbent mayor.
Diokno has claimed that he had been directed not to attend congressional hearings called in connection with the budget controversy.
The budget chief was earlier grilled during a Question Hour of the Lower House over alleged insertion into the proposed 2019 national budget of some P75 billion in so-called “parked pork barrel funds.”
Andaya told a press conference that Diokno and other officials have been trying to muddle the issue about the budgeting controversy by injecting the Road Board abolition as a diversionary move.
Diokno, together with former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, said control of the P45-billion motor vehicle users fund (MVUC) that is being managed by the Road Board is the reason for the actions of the current leaders of the Lower House.
Diokno had claimed that Andaya and Minority Leader Danilo Suarez want a big chunk of the MVUC for their respective road maintenance and safety projects.
However, the names of Andaya and Suarez, even that of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are not included in the list of proponents of projects to be funded out of the MVUC.
Andaya said Diokno and Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo were apparently “misinformed” about Presiden Duterte’s stand on the Road Board.
Contrary to the claim of Diokno and Panelo that Duterte wants the Road Board abolished, the Chief Executive wants the agency to continue operating, Andaya said.
According to Andaya the President made this clear when he personally told him and Arroyo that he thumbed down the resignation of Road Board Executive Director Luisito Clavano.
The House official also slammed senators for insisting on adopting a House bill that provides for the abolition of the Road Board.
The bill was passed on third reading by the Lower House but was later recalled by the chamber before Senate could adopt the House version.
Andaya said that bill cannot be enrolled for approval by the President without the conformity of congressmen.