Madrigal not keen on approving DENR P3-B budget increase

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal on Tuesday said she is likely to reject the budget proposal of Environment Secretary Jose Livioko "Lito" Atienza Jr for fears that the money would end up for his campaign pockets. In an interview over a local radio, Madrigal said Atienza has been asking for a P3-billion increase from their previous P9 billion budget last year. But Atienza’s project proposals lack sufficient basis and explanation why they should approve such budget increase, she said. "Three billion ang increase ang total budget nila ay magiging 12 billion from P9 billion. Humihingi sila ng P3 billion at napakalaki nito at pwedeng ma-realign sa Office of the Secretary (The increase amounts to P3-billion so their total budget would amount to P12-billion from P9 billion last year. This amount is so huge and it could be realigned to the Office of the Secretary)," she said. "Well sinasabi niya reforestation programs na wala naman detalye (Well, he’s saying it’s for reforestation programs but the project lacks details) and a big chunk of that would go to the office of the secretary meaning Office of Atienza," she added. According to Madrigal the DENR annually conducts deforestation programs. In fact, according to the Commission on Audit (COA), she said, a big portion of their budget goes to that project. However, none of these reforestation programs were being maintained. "This is parang fertilizer scam in the sense na hindi natin alam kung saan napupunta yung pondo kasi pwede nilang sabihin na namatay o nasunog. Very allergic ako pagsinasabi reforestation (this is like fertilizer scam in the sense we don’t know where the funds are being channeled to because they can say the trees died or the trees were burned)," she said. Madrigal said instead of pushing for reforestation projects, the DENR should come up with projects that could stop illegal mining and illegal logging activities. Asked whether she would approve the budget, Madrigal was quick to answer: "Well, I would not likely approve it because meron talaga akong suspecha na 2009 will be a campaign year hanggang 2010 na yan (because I have a feeling that from 2009 to 2010 it will be a campaign year)." "Hindi tayo nakakasigurado kung sa reforestation lang talaga yan mapupunta yung pera (We are not sure if the funds would solely go to reforestation programs)," she added. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV