Esperon: Over P16B fund for barangay development won’t be used for 2022 polls

National Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC vice chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Friday denied that the P16.44 billion fund set aside for the barangay development program would be utilized to advance political interests in the 2022 elections.

At a virtual press briefing, Esperon said the aim of the barangay development program is to provide the needs of residents in far-flung areas.

He underscored that now is the time to reach and help residents living in those areas.

“Malayo po sa isip namin 'yon. Dahil unang-una itong 822 barangays ay matagal na pong na-clear ito tulad nang naipakita namin ay na-clear ito ng 2016 to 2019. Dito na lang tayo nagkaroon ng pagkakataon para madala itong mga projects na ito. And so, kailangan bang mag-antay pa tayo ng mas matagal na panahon upang madala itong mga projects na ito? Huwag naman sana,” Esperon said.

“Bakit naman tayo gagastos ng P16.44 billion for election, electionary purposes? Hindi po 'yun ang point natin eh. Kung hindi ang layunin natin dito ay madala 'yung development sa geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas,” he added.

Esperon further dismissed the allegation of some lawmakers that the fund is just a pork barrel allocation.

"What they do not know is that these funds come from the different agencies but are converged or coordinated by the National Task Force ELCAC and these will be released to the regions specifically to the municipalities where the barangays are located,” Esperon said.

He noted that the projects under the barangay development program would be supervised by the provincial government and the regional task forces of the ELCAC.

"This is now a reflection of good governance by way of converging projects,” Esperon said.

During the budget hearing of the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Thursday, Kabataan partylist Representative Sarah Elago questioned the multi-billion allocation for the barangays “cleared” of insurgency.

She alleged that this could be a lump sum, noting the absence of an itemized list of projects under the multi-billion peso allocation.

Elago also claimed that it could be an "election war chest."

The DILG reasoned out that there is already an initial list of the projects, which was submitted to the Office of the President.

Earlier, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro also speculated that the fund could just be a pork barrel that will go to the DILG. — RSJ, GMA News