Aquino wants IRA funds cut for non-performing LGUs
by Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, The Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines – Presidential candidate Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III wants reduced funds from the internal revenue allotment (IRA) for local government units who are not performing their mandate.
At the same time, the Liberal Party (LP) stalwart said that local governments who did their job should get the full 40 percent IRA to allow them to do more projects for the people.
“Kung hindi nagawa ang dapat gawin, dapat bawasan ang resources. Iyong 40 percent maraming magagawa kung gagamitin sa tama [If they are not able to do what they’re supposed to do, their resources should be reduced. There are a lot of things that can be done with the 40 percent, if the funds will be used wisely] ,” said Aquino at the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s presidential debate held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City Monday.
Aquino, who heads the committee on local governments in the Senate, said government audit agencies should see to it that the local governments were utilizing their IRA based on planned programs and projects.
He said the people should feel and see where the funds from IRA were spent in their localities.
The Local Government Code provides that 40 percent of the national internal revenue shall go to local governments.
"I am determined to continue the fight started by my father and my mother to see
that democracy takes root and is strengthened in our country. This cannot happen
in a government that serves the interest of the powerful few. We must strengthen
the institutions of government so that they truly serve the interests of our people."
Regina
8 Feb, 2010
I was there in the debate. If you have questions, feel free to ask me.
basilio jamisola
8 Feb, 2010
Tell us more about it.
Regina
8 Feb, 2010
The top three in my opinion, are Madrigal, BSAIII and Gordon. Yes, it was Madrigal who really shone in the forum. She is very radical for a woman, especially a woman facing 7 men. She took the opportunity to hit Villar, and turned the tide for her (except of course, from the Villar supporters). At dretso niyang tinira ang WTO bilang nagpapahirap sa bansa natin which is true. Very laudable move from her.
Noynoy is straight to the point, no wishy-washy statements, but the forum didn’t bring out the best in him. Walang gaanong pressure sa kanya kaya he was not compelled to impress the audience. Relatively, he has improved much since ANC forum. Again, he took pride in his platform for education but he must know that he has more issues to settle other then education.
Gordon is brilliant, but he still uses the ‘ganito kami sa Subic’ arguments. Same as forums before. And he has the same economic paradigm as GMA.
Gibo disappointed me. Or maybe I was expecting too much from him. Same economic platform as GMA. Kaya pareho sila ni Gordon ng sinasabi. Allow foreign-owned companies in the Philippines.
The real annoying one is Villar. When asked about his friends who gives donations to his campaign, he said, “Wala akong nanay na presidente, wala akong kapatid na artista..” and his usual speeches. He gave a safe answer on mining, and his platform on economy is the same as Gibo and Gordon.
Overall, the debate (or should I say forum kasi wala namang batuhan ng arguments) is not as much as a success than what it has promised to be so. Personally, nalungkot ako kasi wala man lang nagtanong kay Sen. Noy about Hacienda Luisita.