Santiago hits misuse of MVUC funds

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago blamed yesterday the possible misuse of the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC) for one of the worst floods in Metro Manila brought by rains from tropical storm “Ondoy.”

In a statement, Santiago said the massive floods could have been mitigated if the multi-billion MVUC funds were used properly.

“(It could have been used to) improve our drainage systems and (for) road maintenance,” she said.

Santiago, Senate foreign relations committee chairwoman, said it was fortunate that the Senate has already ratified the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) this month.

“Given the vulnerability of the country to almost all types of natural hazards as we see now, the Philippines can benefit the most in the ratification of AADMER,” she said.

The treaty aims to provide effective mechanisms in responding to disaster emergencies in the Asean region, she added.

Santiago said the road tax, collected since 2001 is “the biggest scandal of this decade.”

The road tax, the government’s third largest source of revenue, has collected a total of P56.5 billion between 2001 and July 2009, she added.

Santiago said the road fund was not allocated based on legal procedures but upon the request of politicians, government officials, and district engineers.

“It looks like the biggest scandal of the decade produced the biggest floods in Metro Manila,” she said.

“Billions of pesos from the road tax fund were allegedly used to install traffic lights, road safety devices, and vehicle pollution equipment – which are all prone to corruption through overpricing and ghost purchases – instead for road maintenance and drainage systems.”

Santiago said the Commission on Audit, has reported that MVUC projects totaling P57 million have not been completed for more than two years.

Based on a World Bank Report in February 2009, the percentage of paved national roads in good condition has increased only by 1.1 percent per year since the road tax was collected, she added. – Christina Mendez