Pimentel lifts cap on senators’ welfare aid for Marawi folk

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. NINO JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is lifting a cap on official expenses by senators on welfare assistance to allow more help to be given residents of Marawi City displaced by fighting between government soldiers and members of a homegrown terror group that swore allegiance to the Islamic State.

“The war on terrorism is not won just with bullets and bombs,” said Pimentel.

“It is won by the unity of the people, and through this measure, I hope to show our displaced brothers and sisters that they are not forgotten,” he said.

Under Senate rules, senators are allowed to set aside only up to 5 percent of their monthly office budgets for welfare assistance expenses, or help to indigents for funerals, hospitalization and other emergency needs.

But a Senate memorandum allows the Senate president to grant exemptions to the 5-percent cap.

Pimentel said his order to lift the cap, however, applied only to aid for Marawi evacuees.

“I issued the special order because a lot of senators wanted to extend help,” said Pimentel.

“So the order will allow them to help without limit,” he said.

The Senate leader said extra help would be in need as most Marawi residents are Muslims preparing for the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, a time when demand for food among Muslims rises.

Muslims worldwide would celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, on June 26.

“Let us join our Muslim brethren in celebrating with prayers for peace and giving them help in their hour of need,” said Pimentel.