By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY - Zamboanga
del Norte first district congressman Seth Frederick Jalosjos has urged everyone
to support the move to oppose the abolition of the Priority Development
Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the legislators.
Jalosjos
aired his position during the “Kapihan sa Dipolog” radio program last Sunday at
Sunburst Fried Chicken and Restaurant, Hotel Camila I this city, saying “lots
of projects, not only in my district, will be affected if the PDAF will be
totally abolished.”
About
800 to 1,000 students currently enrolled at the Jose Rizal Memorial State
University (JRMSU) and various infrastructures in the first district of
Zamboanga del Norte are funded by the congressman’s PDAF.
However,
he assured that the concern of the scholars will be resolved before the opening
of classes this second semester. He also vowed not to leave any unfinished project
in his district.
It
can be recalled that the Supreme Court (SC) recently issued a temporary restraining
order against the release of the remaining PDAF of the legislators for the year
2013, including the Malampaya funds.
Jalosjos
said he welcomed the high court’s issuance of TRO as it would appease all
stakeholders while the fund in question is under investigation. “It is not also
good to be releasing funds while the very root of where it came from, which is
the congress, is being questioned,” he said.
“Abolition
of PDAF is not the solution to problem but filing appropriate charges against
those involved to serve justice to the people’s taxes. We have to adopt safety
measures to ensure that government funds are properly spent. The Commission on
Audit (COA), which is tasked to safeguard the government funds channeled to the
various government agencies and non-government organizations, including the
PDAF of the legislators, should do its job and see to it government funds are
properly spent on specific projects,” he pointed out.
He
also urged the government to conduct a much deeper investigation on the PDAF
scam and hold those involved accountable for their action to spare the
lawmakers from the sweeping accusation. “It is unfair to the other congressmen
and senators who honestly spent their PDAF on the intended projects,” Jalosjos
said.
The
young legislator suggested the adoption of a lined item budgeting for PDAF and
other government funds given to the different agencies of the government. “Through
this, we will be certain as to where a specific allocation goes and how it is
being spent,” Jalosjos stressed. (PIA9)