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ROXAS City – Rep. Emmanuel “Tawi” Billones Sr. (Capiz, 1st District) cried foul over the non-inclusion of the opposition lawmakers’ priority projects in next year’s P3.8-trillion national budget.
Billones said defunding the proposed priority projects in his congressional district made for “a blue Christmas for his constituents.”
The P1.7-billion budget that Billones proposed for infrastructure projects – including flood control structures, bridges and public school buildings, among others – in the 1st District of Capiz was scrapped.
Billones is part of the “Magnificent 7,” together with Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Rep. Edgar Rice (Caloocan), Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao), Rep. Raul Daza (Northern Samar), Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list), and Rep. Tom Villarin (Akbayan party-list).
“Wala magsulod sa akon paino-ino nga amo gali sini magdumot si President (Rodrigo) Duterte,” Billones said.
For his part, Capiz 1st District Engineering Office’s Construction Section chief Engineer Julius Abela said the infrastructure projects will still push through.
They will be funded under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2018 regular budget, Abela added.
He stressed that the zero budget allocation for opposition lawmakers does not mean that the projects will not be altogether implemented.
The DPWH district offices are required to submit their proposed budget for infrastructure projects they wish to be included in each year’s budget, Abela said.
Lagman said the zero budget allocation is meant to “punish and silence the opposition lawmakers,” even if their constituents will be affected directly.
“Why punish citizens and communities for the earnest and valiant efforts of their representatives to maintain responsible dissent as the bedrock of democracy?” Lagman stressed.
The infrastructure projects that members of the Magnificent 7 proposed were included in the approved General Appropriations Bill on the third and final reading by the House of Representatives.
These projects were deleted, though, during the bicameral conference meeting, reportedly upon the instruction of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, according to Lagman.
The President signed the 2018 national budget on Dec. 19. (With report from GMA News/PN)
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