DBM: P5 billion allotted for poll modernization project

DAVAO CITY – The government has allotted enough funds to finance the electoral modernization project of the Commission on Elections for the 2010 general elections, Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya said.

“We have allocated at least between P4 billion to P5 billion for the poll modernization project. There is money for it,” Andaya told reporters here during the Economic Managers’ Briefing held at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Andaya said P2.8 billion of the total amount for the electoral modernization project is included in the P1.227 trillion national budget that President Arroyo signed into law last Tuesday.

“I understand the P2.8 billion shall be used in procuring the bulk of the equipment this year,” Andaya said.

The P800 million for the poll modernization pilot test during the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections in October shall also be taken from the P2.8 billion allocation in this year’s budget.

Also included in the national allocation are the corresponding expenditures for the training of staff for the poll system as well as the delivery of the equipment to various places in the country.

Andaya said that necessary measures must be put in place for the poll modernization project even as the Comelec is currently in consultations with the private sector for the implementation of a reliable and fool-proof system.

An advisory council to the Comelec reportedly recommended the use of mixed technologies, including direct recording electronic technology and optical mark reader system.

Andaya said the remaining amount in the total budget for the electoral modernization project will be included in next year’s annual budget in time for the 2010 elections.

Andaya also said the P1.227 trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) will unleash funds for the government’s “infrastructure juggernaut” to further fuel the country’s economic growth.

“This (GAA) is the (spending) authority we have been waiting for so construction activities can go full-blast,” Andaya said.

Under this year’s GAA, an additional P200 billion will be spent for infrastructure projects.

He said the government will take advantage of the “good weather window” of the summer season to build more roads, schools, irrigation and other farm infrastructure.  – With Paolo Romero