Ifugao solon throws support behind judicious use of Pork barrel IFUGAO Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat has expressed full support for the Aquino administration’s campaign for more responsible use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund to ensure that taxpayers’ money goes to the right projects and programs. Baguilat said that the Aquino administration was already on the right track as the Department of Budget and Management has identified a menu of projects that can be funded through the PDAF, such as basic services, primarily education and health care for the poor and marginalized, including indigenous peoples. Similarly, the Presidential Social Fund is also covered by strict guidelines and Baguilat said that he was satisfied with the way it was being used. The PDAF should thus be used just as effectively. “While the PDAF is a discretionary fund in that legislators are given the discretion to identify priority projects, the DBM has given a strict menu of possible projects and programs to be financed from the PDAF. And one very strict guideline is that the PDAF can not be coursed through non-government organizations or foundations. The fund should be funneled through either a line agency or the local government unit, which means complying with strict rules of the Commission on Audit,” Baguilat said. He said that the provision of such a menu of projects already ensures that the PDAF, under the Aquino administration, goes to intended beneficiaries, which is a departure from the previous practice where the funds can be channeled to different organizations, thus making it prone to abuse. “This is one reason why the chances of the PDAF being abused under the current administration are slim since the DBM has installed strict guidelines,” Baguilat said. Baguilat stressed that by itself, the PDAF can be an equalizing fund because it gives the smaller political constituencies such as Ifugao priority in terms of share of the national budget. Most of the scholarships, small infrastructure projects and medical assistance going to these small provinces are funded through the PDAF. “Normally under national standards, the smaller political constituencies may be at a disadvantage in terms of allocation because they are low on the priority list. For example, the national standard is a classroom or teacher for every 45 pupils. But in some areas, the class size will be much smaller. Through PDAF, these students will be able to get the education they need,” he said. Baguilat believes that criticisms against the PDAF have been addressed and safeguards are already in place to make sure that the funds that come from taxpayers do not go to unnecessary projects or line the pockets of unscrupulous representatives. This is in keeping with the Aquino administration’s campaign toward good governance and transparency in government.#
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 14:16:44 +0000
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