Budget cut to affect rehab programs, says Banias
Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias admitted that the reduction of the Western Visayas rehabilitation fund from P15 billion to P10.4 billion will affect the rehabilitation program lined up by various local governments relative to impact of the onslaught of typhoon Frank recently.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando Andaya reportedly advised Banias that the rehabilitation fund will not exceed P10.5 billion. The downsizing of the supplemental budget was attributed to the ongoing global crisis.
Banias said the trimming down of the supplemental budget will affect the rehabilitation of some projects destroyed during the typhoon. One of those projects eyed in the rehabilitation fund is the Stage 2 of the Iloilo Flood Control project. Only projects considered as priority ones would be put on the list.
In the original proposed supplemental budget, the P15 billion will cover the rehabilitation and construction of roads and bridges; flood and river control; communication and power lines; hospitals; school buildings; water and irrigation systems; and such other projects as drainage works, resettlement centers, home sites, and livelihood programs.
The budget proposal would be presented in Congress for approval. It was House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor of the 3rd District of Iloilo who sponsored House Bill 4824 containing the P15 billion supplemental budget.
The bill was also co-authored by Representatives Janette Garin; Exequiel Javier; Florencio Miraflores; Ferjenel Biron; Raul Gonzales, Jr.; Judy Syjuco; Antonio del Rosario; Genaro Alvarez, Jr.; Jeffrey Ferrer; Fredenil Castro; Jose Carlos Lacson; Joaquin Nava; Niel Tupas, Jr.; Alfredo Marañon III; Ignacio "Iggy Arroyo; and Julio Ledesma IV.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas said he was already informed of the cut in the P15 billion rehabilitation fund and the effects it may cause in the implementation of the Stage 2 of the Iloilo Flood Control project. Nevertheless, he is optimistic that the national government could look for other sources of funds.
Treñas said they are pushing for the Stage 2 of the flood control project since the project component would be very helpful to the residents of the city especially during floods. The Stage 2 of the project includes the construction of Lapaz floodway, improvement of the Jaro River and dredging of Ticud, Ingore and Dungon Creeks. The project also includes the improvement in the Lapuz-Mansaya Creek.
The flood control project has a national counterpart though it is funded by the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC). It is included in the 2011-2013 loan package, said Treñas.