TF Bangon Panay asks PGMA to certify as urgent bill Paglaum Fund
The Task Force Bangon Panay has asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during their last Monday’s brief meeting at the New Iloilo Airport here to certify as urgent House Bill No. 4824 which requests for the Paglaum (Hope) Fund.
Western Visayas Presidential Assistant Raul N. Banias, who is also the executive officer of Task Force Bangon Panay, said in an interview that they asked the President to certify the bill as urgent so that the P15-billion fund being requested for the integrated rehabilitation and restoration program in Panay island could already be passed.
PA Banias said that with him when they requested President Arroyo were Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez Sr., who is the Task Force chairman; Iloilo City Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr.; Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas, and Iloilo Province Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr.
President Arroyo was in Iloilo City to condole with the families of the slain soldiers Lt. Col. Angel Benitez and Marine Corporal Angelo Abeto. The two were killed during the fresh fighting between government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) renegade commanders.
According to Banias, the President has assured them that her announcement of support to the rehabilitation program in Panay island and the provinces of Guimaras and Negros Occidental during her State of the Nation Address already strongly conveyed the urgency of the bill before both houses of Congress.
The House Bill authored by Iloilo Third District Cong. Arthur Defensor Sr. and House Speaker Prospero Nograles. The bill has already passed first reading in the House. (PNA)