Party-list solon wants more funding for coops, hospitals

MARIBOJOC, BOHOL, Philippines — Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño had continued to pour more funds from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to cooperatives, education in terms of infrastructure and health services.

“It is the people who will ultimately benefit from this aside from the fact that cooperatives with good track records are more transparent,” Casiño said in an exclusive interview over the weekend at JJs Seafood restaurant where he met with representatives of six cooperatives and Maribojoc town Mayor Leoncio Evasco.

Casiño said he also poured P1 million for the rehabilitation of the operating room of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) and some P800,000 for the classroom building in barangay Pangpang, Ubay town.

A total of P500,000 is also being allotted for the following cooperatives: Candelaria Multipurpose Cooperative in Dagohoy town; Mantacida MPC in Caigbian town; Samahang Nayon MPC in Carmen town; and Badiang Self-Help MPC in Anda town, at P100,000 each; and P50,000 each to CVSCAFT MPC (BISU) Bilar and Medical Mission Group of Hospitals Cooperative.

Casiño, who is on his last term as congressman and is now gunning for senator as an independent, admitted that he found it hard to run without a party but he expressed optimism that, with his 9-year track record as a legislator, he could do better as a senator. (FREEMAN)