Bayan tells gov’t: Don’t use disaster to justify pork barrel
Renato Reyes Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Don’t use “Yolanda” to defend your taste for pork barrel.
Cause-oriented groups urged the national government to direct their pork barrel funds directly to the victims of typhoon Yolanda and not use the disaster to justify executive and legislative officials’ discretionary power over the funds.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan will hold an “International Day of Solidarity and Action” on Wednesday in a bid to gather donations to be sent in relief missions to the Visayas.
“We are still thinking of feasible routes to the affected areas since they are still cut off following the typhoon,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.
The International Day of Solidarity and Action on November 13 aims to show support and sympathy for the typhoon victims and to gather aid, in cash and kind, to be sent on relief missions.
The militant group is calling for donations through its Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan or the BALSA program.
At the same time, Reyes cautioned the government not to use the recent disaster to justify its use of the pork barrel funds.
“Now is not the time for that. The President should be sympathizing and not pointing fingers,” he said.
He added that they have also been trying to locate all their members in the typhoon-stricken areas.
“They themselves are having a hard time organizing efforts because they were affected. So help must really come from outside,” Reyes said.
The activities on Wednesday include relief and donation drives, candle lighting activities to show sympathy for the victims, etc.
BALSA is accepting donations through Metrobank account 1803180145401 and 180218002566-3 under the name of Rita T. Baua.
Reyes added that anti pork barrel street musicians have agreed to perform in public places to solicit cash donations.
Anakbayan chairman Vencer Crisostomo said donations will be accepted in various schools in Metro Manila.
They are also spearheading Tulong Kabataan, a network of relief operations. Donations will be also accepted via Paypal at https://tinyurl.com/magdonate.
“Our fellow Filipinos need our help right now. Let us gather goods to send to our kababayans and turn our schools, communities, workplaces into relief centers,” he said.
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