Agencies implementing the P7 billion rehabilitation projects for Bicol appear to have deliberately snubbed the request of Pili Mayor Alex San Luis coursed through Assistant Secretary Tomasito Monzon, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Affairs, for a complete list of projects covered by the gargantuan allocation.
The inability even by the Bicol Calamity Assistance Relief Effort (B-CARE) Commission to respond only fueled speculations some of the funds may have been misspent.
President Arroyo herself said in Masbate last month that some projects in Bicol were reported completed but were actually non-existent.
Considered the biggest windfall from the national government, the allocation was largely intended for the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur which suffered most from calamities in 2006 including the Mt. Mayon landslides that killed hundreds on the slopes of the volcano.
Local officials especially those who just assumed after the May, 2007 election could not, however, determine where the money went.
In his letter to Monzon dated October 10, 2007, Mayor San Luis noted that some LGUs were directly given the rehab fund. He wanted to know what were the bases or criteria for such direct allocation.
He asked that a complete list of all projects funded from the huge fund be published for the people to know whether they were judiciously spent or whether some projects just went to the campaign kitty of some politicians.
