Officials warned: No release of public work funds during poll time

By Vency D. Bulayungan

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The Commission on Elections warned effective March 26 until May 10, no public official or employee including barangay officials and those of government- owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries shall release, disburse or expend any public funds for any and all kinds of public works.

Lawyer Jerome Bantiyan of the Comelec here bared this but added there are exceptions such as maintenance of existing and or completed public works project provided that not more than the average number of laborers or employees already employed therein during the six-month period immediately prior to March 26, 2010 shall be permitted to work during such time.

These were based from rules and regulations governing ban on public works and release disbursement and expenditures of public funds.

“There should be no additional laborers to be employed for maintenance work starting March 26 until May 10, 2010,” Bantiyan said.

Bantiyan added that work undertaken by contract through public bidding or by negotiated contract awarded before March 26, 2010 are also exempted.

Work undertaken under the so-called takay or pakyaw system shall not be considered as work by contract, he said.

Payment for the usual cost of preparation for working drawings, specifications, bills of materials, estimates and other procedures preparatory to actual construction including the purchase of materials and equipment and all incidental expenses for wages of watchmen and other laborers employed for such work before March 26, he added.

Another exemption is emergency work necessitated by the occurrence of a public calamity.

Such work shall not be limited to the restoration of the damaged facility saying that no payment shall be made within five days before the date of election to laborers who have rendered services in projects or works.

Bantiyan said should a calamity or disaster occur, all releases normally or usually coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development and any other government office shall be turned over to and administered and disbursed by the Philippine National Red Cross subject to the supervision of the Philippine National Red Cross or its representatives.

“No candidate or his or her spouse or member of his family within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity shall participate, directly or indirectly in the distribution of any relief or other goods to the victims of the calamity or disaster.