SB to DBM: Speed up release of 'pork' to help flood victims

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to speed up the release of pork barrel funds so congressmen can use the money to help flood victims.

“I am appealing for the early release of the PDAF allocations of my colleagues to enable them to address various concerns arising from widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other areas,” he said.

He said the funds could be used for the procurement of relief goods and medicine, and for the clearing of small waterways.

The annual P25-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is the official name of the congressional pork barrel. It allocates P70 million for each member of the House of Representatives and P200 million for each senator.

A House member can draw P30 million from it for “soft” projects like the purchase of relief goods and medicine.

The remaining P40 million is for infrastructure.

In the case of a senator’s P200-million allocation, there is a 50-50 split between soft and hard projects.

Most House members and senators have already disbursed half of their funds for this year.

The congressional pork barrel is a source of corruption for some lawmakers and government personnel and private citizens implementing their projects.

For instance, a former Bukidnon congressman is facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly diverting millions to a foundation founded by his family. An aunt who served as a foundation officer is one of the witnesses against him.

There is also the case of a former Cebu congresswoman whom the Commission on Audit found to have funneled pork barrel funds into a private organization through a town controlled by her relatives.

Earlier, Belmonte called for the immediate implementation of a comprehensive plan to relocate communities along riverbanks and creeks to save lives.

He also asked Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco to deploy his rolling kitchens to evacuation centers in Marikina City and other affected parts of Metro Manila.