Friday, July 13, 2007 Lawmaker pushes review of aid By Lizanilla J. Amarga
BUDGET agency officers in Manila are adjusting budgetary allocations to make sure that Mindanao gets 30 percent of the national budget pursuant to the orders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Cagayan de Oro second district Congressman Rufus Rodriguez said Thursday.
Also, Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Secretary Jesus Dureza disclosed that they are now looking into more consultation with local government units to come out with a list of which projects to prioritize under this new budget allocation.
Rodriguez however is calling on all Mindanaoans to unite and be vigilant in making sure that every centavo of this budget would not be tainted with corruption or any irregularity.
The unprecedented budget increase stemmed from a resolution presented by Rodriguez during the two-day Mindanao Peace and Security Summit held here at Pryce Plaza Hotel late last Monday and Tuesday.
The resolution was the product of the various inputs contributed by hundreds of governors, mayors, and other top officials from the different regions here in the hopes of pushing peace and progress in Mindanao.
Also, from representatives from top brass military and police leaders who are serving Mindanao as well as representative officials from other government line agencies.
Rodriguez said he and Dureza as well as those concerned for Mindanao have both agreed to make sure that this time Mindanao gets its "just share" of at least 30 percent of the national budget.
He said this as Mindanao has only received around eight to 10 percent of the national budget in the past.
"If the budget allocations are properly used and are really implemented without any corruption or irregularity, this would mean more jobs, increasing the standards of living of every Mindanaoan," he said.
"No one would want to join the CPP-NDF-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People's Army) and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front)," he added.
Late last Tuesday, President Arroyo issued two orders pursuant to the resolution presented by Rodriguez.
The first ordering Secretary Rolando Andaya to increase Mindanao's share to 30 percent of the national budget in FY 2008 and the other order was for Dureza to make sure that her national agencies in partnership with the local government units will carry out all the other contents in the above resolution.
Rodriguez immediately flew Wednesday to Manila to for some official matters among them, is to check on the amendments to the 2008 Proposed National Budget.
He said Andaya has already ordered his executive deputy secretary Manuel Gaite to make the necessary changes in the budget.
"Didto ako ug nakita nako nga gihimo na ang pagmugna ug mga meetings para ma-realign ang national budget ug mahatag ang 30 percent diri sa atoa sa Mindanao (I was there and I saw how meetings are now being undertaken to make the necessary changes and realignments on the national budget to give the 30 percent to our Mindanao)," he said.
Dureza told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that Rodriguez may be with the opposition but they are one in their vision to bring Mindanao to her feet.
He said they will be conducting a number of meetings here in Mindanao to also talk on which projects to prioritize.
"I am just very glad that Cong. Rufus Rodriguez has agreed to help us out and all other officials who strongly believe that this time Mindanao will not just an island of promise but of fulfillment as well," he said.
