LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – A broad-based group of churches, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) will host a pioneering program titled, “Ifugao Sangguniang Panlalawigan Candidates Forum for Good Governance” on April 30 at the Don Bosco High School Gymnasium in Lagawe.
The program is focused on enlightening participants on the need to promote good governance- coming up with an effective strategic plan that is fully attuned with the people’s clamor to stamp put patronage politics.
The program is more than just educating the province’s voters on their opportunity to choose better incoming officials for the next three years. The various sectors and the people in the grassroots level, and the camaraderie and optimism, expected to be drawn from each shall become the anchor for much-needed political reforms.
Mainstreaming good governance at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) through a resolve at the provincial level requires the commitment of those who are seeking the positions of vice governor and board member.
It is well known that Ifugao is no stranger to the bitter experiences of having politicians who stayed in power for long due to wheeling and dealing with their constituents fueled by patronage politics.
“We will do everything to stop this practice,” Fr. John Habawel said. Fr. Habawel is one of the convenors of the forum.
“The repercussions of this problem must be explained to the people before election day,” he added.
Whoever prevails in the May 13 polls in this part of the country must have no cloud of doubt over his or her position on two interrelated concerns encompassing the issue on patronage politics.
According to Fr. Habawel, these are on pork barrel funds and the excessive and unlawful allocation of the same. Any unresolved action is sure to affect a board member’s and vice governor’s ability to govern. The uncertainty can be aggravated by some individuals who enjoy tremendous influence over them and subsequently pave the way for dictating their decisions. Ifugao cannot afford this uncertainty especially as it enters a crossroads of its history after the May 13 elections and it is being felt by many.
If the proponents of the program are to have the final say on this matter, the vice governor and board members are answerable for the problem itself.
Citing President Duterte’s position of pursuing change in the country, Fr. Habawel said deepening exchanges among the people could solidify the foundations and partnerships.
Has concrete action been made on the part of concerned Ifugao folks to address this problem? It is extremely hard to answer this query in the affirmative. The historic undertaking may well epitomize the strong response of the citizenry here that propels their all-out push on May 13, always keep in mind that they are the ultimate beneficiaries of all these efforts and endeavors- the Ifugao voters.
The forum organizers also plan to hold a covenant signing ceremony at the end part of the program. Fr. Habawel expressed hope that the signing of a covenant would help incoming officials fully support the efforts of extinguishing the vicious effects of patronage politics.
Clearly, a covenant whereby the candidates positively express their support to the call for a halt of patronage politics practice does come within the purview of the promotion of good governance in Ifugao.
Until now, talks of alleged abuse of gasoline allowance perks enjoyed by board members persist. And it will continue to circulate around unless clarifications are made. And that is exactly what the forum organizers are doing.
There are many longstanding issues on patronage politics in the past. For example, issues on job-ordered employees and realignment of public funds to please certain individuals.
Public funds are being earmarked not just for a Sangguniang Panlalawigan member’s mobility requirements need alone. It is hard to justify why there are no funds for the construction of agricultural trading centers that would assist farmers in securing financing and marketing support. It’s incomprehensible that cash-starved farmers, saluted by national officials for feeding the people, are being neglected. It is ridiculous for board members not to support the farmers financially who are the most affected by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and rice tariff law. The deficiencies and shortcomings in fund prioritization are then quite obvious.
Many Ifugao folks expressed deep concern about the alleged mishandling of funds by the legislative branch of the provincial government and the fact that public statements of high officials in the province seemed to condone such practice and encourage some quarters to continue dipping their hands into public coffers with impunity.
Like Fr. Habawel, Bishop Valentin Dimoc of the Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe, Pastor Elvie Balajo of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP), Pastor Almira Montano of the Unted Methodist Church (UMC) and Fr. Verdy Francis Gayman of the Episcopal Church of the Philippines-Anglican expressed alarm over the reported mishandling of funds at the SP.
In a letter to the candidates, the church-led group presented a list of avowed objectives, including the pronounced stand on the pork barrel issue. Simply stated, what matters is adherence to the provisions of Republic Act 3019 which is otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The SP, or the legislature, is composed of eight elected members from the two geographical districts of Ifugao. Other members are from the provincial federation heads of the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council), Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and the Philippine Councilors League (PCL). The powerful and influential SP is in charge of enacting an ordinance outlining the budget of the provincial government. Bulk of the annual budget of the Ifugao government is allocated for personnel services (PS) and maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) outlays. A close look at it could offer a moment to better understand the fact that vital and largely meager funds are not directed to the pressing needs of the people. In fact, the people in the peripheries are having the worst of it. They are at the bottom, and they have no access to fundamental social services. They are the ones who insist that there is no such thing as inclusive growth in their communities. Only glaring “inclusive poverty” in their midst. They don’t have jobs, and they cannot cope with rising food prices. Many are hungry and unhealthy. Ifugao is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
Despite loud and noisy campaign jingles proclaiming their “promises” of better lives for the people, there is no sign that the spectrum of SP bets will engage in a genuine and comprehensive action to discard the practice of misusing “pork barrel” funds. Perhaps, except former Vice Governor Nora Dinamling who is currently running for board member in the first district, under the ruling PDP-Laban. She vowed to reject pork barrel offers from the powers-that-be, if elected. That is small comfort to the men and women behind this noteworthy cause.
How about the others? They have to stand up and state their positions in unequivocal terms.
The cast include re-electionist Board Member Geronino Bimohya (independent), Alberto Binlang Jr. (independent), Hilario Bumangabang (independent), Ceasario Cabbigat (independent), Agustin Calya-en (PDP-Laban), Andres Dango (independent). David Dumangeng (independent), Josel Guyguyon (Liberal Party), re-electionist Board Member Robert Humiwat (independent), Joseph Inhuay (independent), Diony Milio (Philippine Federal Party), Brenda Sawad (PFP), Romeo Sixto (independent), Francis Tenenan (PDP-Laban) and Julio Tindungan (PDP-Laban). They are all running in the first district.
On the other hand, the candidates for board member in the second district are Orlando Addug (independent), Samuel Angawa (independent), former Board Member Samson Atluna (Nationalist People’s Coalition), Jose Bogwana (LP), re-electionist Board Member Clemente Bongtiwon (independent), Julius Chilagan (PDP-Laban), Perfecta Dulnuan (independent), Roger Herman Sr. (PFP), re-electionist Board Member Federico Juguiad Jr. (independent), re-electionist Board Member Noli Maguiwe (independent), Joseph Odan (independent) and Peter Pinaldan (PDP-Laban).
It is a three-cornered race for the vice governor with outgoing Board Member Victor Bunnol Jr. of Lamut (PFP), outgoing Board Member James Frederick Dulnuan of Banaue (PDP-Laban) and outgoing Alfonso Lista Mayor Glenn Prudenciano (LP) seeking to replace outgoing Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw, who is running for governor under the PDP-Laban.
The “pork barrel” issue, more so known in the national level as the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF), has become a source of controversy among the three branches of the government. The Supreme Court ruled it as “unconstitutional.” Wrought from dismay and disgust, Congress scrapped it.
A number of Ifugao folks said the use of pork barrel funds was “irresponsible.” A charge denied by some board members.
Whether the focus is on the board member or the vice governor, who is the presiding officer of the SP, April 30 candidates forum is another victory for the war against patronage politics. May this be the last instance of dissecting the controversial issue?
Changes in the mindset in operating the provincial government vis-à-vis the “pork barrel” funds, though helpful, are good enough to eradicate the province’s problems on poverty and underdevelopment.
As with the pledge of commitment against patronage politics before the polls, the covenant will have a clause on a definitive stand on the corruption problem and tasks of the SP member. It states: “I pledge to oppose any type of corruption observed on the provincial capitol and focus to legislate meaningful ordinances for the common good.”
Fr. Habawel also broached the idea of forming a watchdog group after the elections in a bid to curb corruption in official circles. The planned group is seen to place the duty and responsibility of monitoring the actions of incoming officials for them to effectively carry out their functions.
The three-hour SP candidates’ forum on April 30 is a milestone in Ifugao’s development and maturity in its struggle to make a turnaround. It is certainly its best bet for a better tomorrow. It will now depend on the commitment of the candidates to adhere to the covenant’s action plan their people badly need.
April 30 is indeed a day of reckoning. All eyes on the candidates for vice governor and board member- and the Ifugao voter, who is sick and tired of hearing how public funds are not being judiciously handled by certain quarters. Two hundred or so concerned Ifugao voters are expected to hear the voices of a few or some of their SP aspirants.
Is there a network or system that will first and foremost play an important role in disseminating information to the people?
First things first, forum organizers should make sure that their message gets in to the consciousness of the widest majority of the voting population. Ifugao has 124, 289 voters. Between the periods from May 1 to 11 is a politically opportune moment to accomplish this goal.
Meanwhile, the need to initiate and sustain a heightened campaign to raise the level of public awareness on conduct of public officials is important and will provide a stimulus in order for the provincial government to address unmet needs, according to a leader of a farmer’s group.
Nestor Peralta said it is essential for the people to remain vigilant after the elections. He lauded the forum’s organizers for spearheading the activity geared on embodying the ideals and aspirations of the people rather than take an opposite direction. ** By Anthony A. Araos
