Non-government organizations may no longer be able to ask for assistance from the members of the Provincial Board using their annual “pork barrel” funds due to changes in the budgeting process.
Vice Gov. Mark Macias said that the new system prohibits Board Members from allocating assistance for NGOs or other “soft” projects such as the purchase of medicines.
“Call it pork if you want, but it’s not the same as it used to be,” Macias said.
Board members used to be responsible for their own “lump sum allocations” which they personally allocate for beneficiaries like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Today, board members still have the opportunity and the responsibility to help identify the projects of up to P3 million for their respective districts and including it in the following year’s budget but they will not have a direct hand in the project’s implementation.
Macias told the MetroPost that once the board member identifies a specific community need, they go through a menu prepared by the Provincial Planning & Development Office to see if these projects would qualify for funding.
“Half-inch water pipes are also no longer being distributed by the Province because these may end up in private homes. Jetmatic water pumps would also not be given unless there is a guarantee that the water will be shared by the community,” Macias said.
The Provincial Board would also need a Barangay Resolution requesting for the project. After verification by the Provincial Engineer’s Office, the project will then be made part of next year’s budget.
“The system had been changed long before Congress thought of abolishing Pork,” the Vice Governor said.
The Provincial Board is now starting to make the budget for 2014. Items not included in next year’s budget may have to wait for 2015, he explained.
