Local officials reaffirm support for Noy

MANILA, Philippines - Several local officials have reaffirmed their support for President Aquino.

In Negros Occidental, Gov. Alfredo  Marañon Jr. and Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led 21 mayors, 11 board members, two local business leaders and other officials in signing a manifesto of support for the President amid the controversy  over the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

The Supreme Court had declared certain acts under the program unconstitutional. Malacañang is appealing the decision.

In the manifesto, the officials urged the SC to reconsider its ruling on DAP.

“As leaders of various local government units in Negros Occidental, we are very much aware of the importance of the budget system in the government’s effort to promote a stable economy and spur the country’s economic growth,” they said.

“A responsive budget system is vital in ensuring that the government will be able to immediately address the needs of its people,” the manifesto read.

“One measure of the responsiveness of the budget system is its ability to channel savings where they are needed, when they are needed,” the officials said.

“Oftentimes, despite due diligence in planning, things do not go the way government expected them to due to events which even the most prudent person could never have foreseen,” they added. “It will, therefore, help if there is a mechanism such as the DAP that will allow government enough flexibility to use public savings according to what current and future conditions may demand.”

The officials said the province “is very fortunate” to have benefited from the “generosity” of the President.

They said close to P3 billion was appropriated for Negros Occidental for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and over P1 billion for agricultural enhancement and productivity, infrastructure and health care, among others, they said.

“With due respect to the high court, we believe that their decision on the DAP failed to take into account the realities of the budget process. The decision will expectedly hinder the country’s growth as it will compel the government to undergo the same lengthy process before it can make use of public savings to address the urgent needs,” they said.

They expressed hope the SC would take a second look at the issue “with an open mind and greater consideration of the realities that are happening on the ground.”

They stressed President Aquino’s decision to appeal the SC ruling “proves his readiness to stand for what he believes will benefit his people.”

“That is the mark of a true leader. For that, we give him our support,” the officials said.

Lanao del Sur officials also voiced their support for Aquino, with Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. even calling the President “the country’s best chief executive so far.”

Adiong said it was only under the Aquino administration that the province had received huge funding for various peace and development initiatives.

He admitted that the bulk of the allocations for his province was sourced from the DAP.

“Before that Supreme Court ruling came out, we already received substantial funds to build good roads, sufficient water systems, irrigation facilities and other vital infrastructure that are now mostly completed,” Adiong said in his emailed statement.