Baguio solon refutes mayor’s claim on gov’t aid programs

(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / EV ESPIRITU)

MANILA, Philippines — Baguio City Rep. Mark Go has disputed Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s claims that the House of Representatives Speaker was facilitating the release of funds for the government’s aid programs, noting that the local chief executive should just support the initiative.

Go, in a statement on Wednesday, maintained that aid programs like the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) are national programs and therefore are under specific agencies, and not Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Go said this after Magalong claimed  in a TV news item that Romualdez was distributing funds to lawmakers who accompany the him on official trips so that it could be distributed to their constituents. 

Magalong said these funds were sourced from allocations for social aid programs.

“Hindi totoo ang sinasabi niyang (There is no truth to what he said about a) ‘seven-seven-seven.’ AKAP, AICS, and TUPAD are national government programs of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. with well-defined processes and oversight mechanisms,” Go said.

“Ginagawa po natin ang ating trabaho para masiguradong may budget ang mga national programs para sa Baguio.  Dapat supportive at nakikipag tulungan siya kapag naipaglalaban natin ang budget para sa Baguio City dahil tumutulong ito na guminhawa ang buhay ng mga higit na nangangailangan,” he added.

(We  are doing our did job to ensure that there is a budget for national programs for Baguio.  He should be supportive and help fight for the budget of Baguio City because this will help improve the lives of those who need help the most.)

According to Go, the role of lawmakers in government aid is limited.

“Our role is limited in facilitating these government assistance programs, which are implemented strictly in accordance with the law and existing guidelines. Every peso is accounted for and used solely to benefit those in need,” he noted.

“These funds are not tied to any individual or office but are directly allocated to support our fellow Filipinos in need,” he added.

Magalong claimed that about P21 million was being distributed by Romualdez’ office to those who accompany him during trips — which, he said, can balloon up to P84 million should a lawmaker attend four sorties.

“That’s about P21 million.  Kung naka-apat ka ba naman na sortie eh ‘di P21 (million) times four, that’s P84 million.  Eh ilan ‘yan?  Ilan ‘yang sumasama?  No’ng nalaman ng mga ibang congressman na meron pala ‘yan, nagsamahan na lahat,” he told reporters.

(That’s about P21 million.  If you joined in four sorties then that’s P21 (million) times four, that’s P84 million.  But how many lawmakers will join?  When other congressmen knew about the funds being distributed, many of the, joined.)

Romualdez has not yet responded to the allegations, but his allies have repeatedly maintained that the aid programs are corruption-free, as the distribution of assistance is done by agencies, like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for AKAP and AICS.

House committee on appropriations chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co on Wednesday maintained that AKAP is not a pork barrel, because it is the DSWD that handles the funds and organizes distribution to recipients.

“This AKAP is not a pork barrel. This is zero percent corruption.  There is no corruption here because it goes directly to the people.  The congressman does not hold any fund, it is DSWD.  The one who selects recipients is DSWD.  There is corruption once someone handles these, like in the case of confidential funds,” Co said in an interview, transcripts of which were sent by his office.