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Opposition and administration congressmen on
Wednesday welcomed President Arroyo’s order for the release of
government funds to ease the effects of the extended dry spell in
Luzon.
Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
underscored the need for the country’s irrigation system to be
developed and improved, and for subsidies for agriculture to be
increased.
“We can only hope that the
drought mitigating fund will not be compromised by corruption and
diverted to officials’ self serving political agenda,” Beltran
said in a text message.
Davao City Rep. Vincent Garcia
urged government agencies to use the P3.664-billion fund wisely and
effectively.
“They should not hastily close
deals and implement projects without the necessary impact study. The
funds should go to high-impact, short-term and long-term projects to
address the drought problem. We should avoid band-aid or temporary
and superficial solutions,” Garcia said.
Beltran said the fund should be
immediately released to local government in the affected provinces
and concerned agencies.
“We fear for the welfare of the
stricken farmers and their families and we appeal, on their behalf,
that this contingency fund should not be pocketed by unscrupulous
officials. The survival of thousands of families relies on the
direct and immediate response of the government. This contingency
fund should be matched with support services from the [Department of
Agriculture] and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
[DENR],” he said.
Garcia said that the province of
Isabela, like La Union, should be declared under state of calamity
after more than 40,000 hectares of corn were damaged because of the
heat.
--Maricel V. Cruz
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