Protecting the autonomy fund

LETTERS


Protecting the Autonomy Fund

Juan Ngalob, chairman of the Cordillera Regional Development Council and regional director of the National Economic Development Authority said to us, during a meeting at his office in Imelda Park, Baguio City, that only orders coming from the court and President P-noy can stop them from doing the functions, that they (RDC) arrogated from the winded up Cordillera Administration bodies even if they have no mandate.

“Without such order, we will continue to inform, educate and campaign for autonomy,” were his resounding words.

The door is closed, the verdict is final, it avers simply that “even if all Cordillerans, except them of course, will say you’re doing an illegal job, still these RDC officials will persevere in their self-assumed role.

In one school of thought, it is deductive that these RDC officials will never budge an inch from their grip of the Autonomy Fund, They will swarm over it like famished leeches sucking for blood.

Why? Is the simple question asked by querulous innocent minds but to the meddlesome busybodies, a share of the cake is the direct answer.

To hit the heart of the fuss, categorical statements coming from very reliable and concerned individuals, pinpoint that the autonomy fund had been misused by the RDC officials.

A chunk of the fund had been doled out to organizations identified to be anti-autonomy, says the notary lawyer who inked the memorandum of agreement.

Even, a high- ranking personnel from the Commission on Audit regional office based in La Trinidad, Benguet, stated upon follow- up of our resolution, seeking for special audit of these disbursed autonomy funds, that indeed some expenditures were disallowed because they were misused, for their benefit.

Also, the print and broadcast media in Baguio City bombarded RDC with “staccato of gunfire” anent the alleged irregular disbursements, but to no avail, it fell into deaf ears.

Well, the probity and honesty of COA as “formidable bulwark” of people’s fund is now tested. If they play their cards right, then they’ll be” praised to high heavens” but if they succumb to pressure or grease then may God forgave them.

The autonomous fund is the money of the Filipinos not any tom, dick and harry, so any payment thereof must be made in accordance to government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

The public as co-owners of these funds, must be vigilant and be inquisitive at all times regarding any report of anomaly.

We must all rise, irrespective of our principles or creeds to oppose vehemently, any illegal or immoral act/s accorded to our money. Because if we keep mum about it, then evil will thrive, for good men sat and did nothing.

President Pnoy started right for he walks his talk though he isn’t perfect. His actions exemplified his good intent for our country.

However, his dream of a total overhaul in the government, will sail on high seas because many of his Man Fridays, as the can of worms is opened are disobedient.

And if the Filipinos neglect to support him and instead become instant cavaliers to fan the flames of his imperfections, then our expectations for a better Philippines will fall short.

In like manner, if the Cordillerans would be impassive audience in tolerating alleged misuse of autonomy funds and other corrupt deals of government men, then no one but ourselves will be blamed for the continued decadence of our region.

As our leaders unfold their goal, to carve a niche in the development of our region through autonomy, our primordial task to contribute, is to clean our political units of misfits and scalawags by way of filing suits against them.

We can do it through positive action if we desire. It had been tested and the results have been good.

Cordillera is our home and our resting ground. Like our parents, it feeds us with its vast natural wealth thus, protecting us from cold, drought and famine.

It would be hypocrisy and ungratefulness on our part, if we let her down and permit a few black hearts rape her coffers, using evil schemes, without a drop resistance from us. --- Beepo F. Kiaki, co-chairman, Interim Cordillera Interest Group