A newly accredited political party has supported the scrapping of legislators’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or the “pork barrel” fund.

Political party Alliance for the Common Good, or “Ang Kapatiran” (AK) said that the PDAF only paves the way for graft and corruption.

According to AK member Manuel Dayrit, the proposed line-budgeting system might be preferable over the PDAF if the project that each district proposes is specific and cannot be manipulated by anyone other than the ones who proposed the project.

The 600-strong organization was created in August 2002 and was accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in May 2004. (Anna Regidor)

Makati brgy prouder due to the Makati Coliseum

Barangay La Paz in Makati City could be a fairly small community compared to other city barangays but it now stands prouder having one of Metro Manila’s modern sports facilities: The Makati Coliseum.

Located at Mascardo St., the coliseum has become the home of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), the country’s premier amateur league, and a regular venue for professional games of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and for major boxing events.

City government officials have claimed that the coliseum, which was completed in 1997, now provides the best amenities for other sporting and even non-sports events.
These non-sporting events include, among others, concerts, various corporate and community conventions, and other gatherings.

In certain occasions in the near past, the air-conditioned coliseum also served as a venue for political rallies during an inclement weather.

But not only prouder has La Paz become having such comparably modern coliseum; it has also been made busier with many of its residents turning into small businessmen enjoying brisk business around during events days. (Felix Mediavillo)

NFA assures public to sell rice at P16/kg

The National Food Authority (NFA) assured the public that it will continue to sell regular milled rice (RMR) at P16 per kilogram despite reports on increase in prices of commercial rice in some markets in Metro Manila.

It said that the food agency has sufficient buffer stock of rice in its warehouses until January next year  and the public should not worry any possibility of shortage on the supply of the staple.

The food agency has started distributing NFA rice at a uniform price of P16/kg nationwide since 1999  through its accredited and licensed rice retailers strategically positioned inside and outside market premises.

NFA stationary outlets which distribute NFA rice at P16/kg are the Tindahan ni Gloria sa Barangay (TGB), Targeted Rice Distribution Program (TRDP), and Tindahan ni Gloria sa Palengke (TGP).

The food agency’s rolling stores are also deployed in identified depressed areas to cater the rice requirements of the underprivileged communities.

For further inquiries on NFA’s procurement activities, the public may visit the  nearest NFA office.