Vice gov pushes equitable sharing of provincial funds:Kalinga gov suspends release of b’gay funds due to ‘ghost projs

By Peter Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - - Gov. Jocel Baac recently  suspended release of funds to barangays for projects ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 following reports of anomalies such as not  properly spent  for their intended purpose like through ghost projects.

But this time, Vice Gov. Allen Jesse Mangaoang wants continuation of fund transfer allocation to barangays saying it is one way to equitably distribute resources of the provincial government.

Mangaoang said through this scheme, barangays could get their fair share from the development pie especially those with meager internal revenue allotment. “This is one way of augmenting what the barangays are yearly receiving from the national budget,” he said.

But he said barangays must be tightly monitored and  should have  full accounting to ensure that what they are getting are spent on priority projects.

“If there are alleged ghost projects or poor implementation which is the reason to temporarily suspend fund transfers to barangays, then let it be taken care of by the provincial monitoring committee and concerned  offices,” he said.

Both the executive and the legislative bodies allot funds to barangays covered by memorandum of agreement.

This is treated by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan  as part of their countryside development fund.

The MOA requires that projects to be funded are identified in the barangay development fund, annual investment plan, their program of work be prepared by the municipal/city engineering office, and are properly liquidated.

Mangaoang said there are barangays that are not resourceful or are not asking higher LGUs for projects because of limited knowledge on the preparation of documents.

Others hesitate to be like beggars or are not used to go back and forth to offices to follow up requests.

“We have our own constituencies and we want every barangay to have access to the 20% development fund through the fund transfer scheme,” he said.