TRANSPARENCY TEST
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Mayor San Luis |
Saying that the people need to know what projects were funded from the P7 billion rehabilitation fund allocated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the Bicol Region for the people to appreciate them and be genuinely grateful to the national leadership, Pili Mayor Alex San Luis wrote Assistant Secretary Tomasito Monzon, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Affairs, to cause the disclosure in the media of all rehab projects under the fund.
The chief executive of the capital town of Camarines Sur noted that during the last State of the Nation Address of President Arroyo she mentioned only two things for Bicol. These include the planned revival of the Bicol River Basin Development Program which up to now has not taken place and the P7 billion rehabilitation fund which constituents have hardly noticed despite the huge amount involved.
Many are apprehensive some of the funds may have been dissipated in projects like desilting largely intended to raise campaign funds during the last elections.
Mayor San Luis said in his letter that some LGUs were reported to have directly received allocations from the rehab fund.
He wanted to know which LGUs were given the privilege and what were the bases and criteria for awarding the fund for the discretion of some local executives.
Mayor San Luis noted that only DPWH Regional Director Orlando B. Roces had released a list of projects totaling P1.325 billion published in the PENINSULA MONITOR. Although the entire P7 billion may have been spent, the public does not know where much of the money went, the mayor said.
