DILG criticized for delay in filling Antique SP vacancies

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The operations of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Antique were disrupted in August, leaving several important legislations and government documents pending, according to Governor Rhodora Cadiao.

Cadiao criticized the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its delayed action in filling the vacancies left by the suspension of eight SP members by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“I’d like to thank DILG, but it took a long time for them to give us the proper seats for the three SP members, even at the ex-officio level,” Cadiao told Daily Guardian on Thursday, Sept. 5.

The governor emphasized that the provincial government had repeatedly requested the DILG to expedite the appointment of new members to the 14-member SP to achieve a quorum.

“We understand that documents take time to process, but despite our gratitude, there was a significant delay in the SP’s legislation. There are many pending matters that could have been resolved if the vacancies had been filled two weeks after the suspension,” she said.

Among the stalled legislations are the salaries of job hires, the budget for the province’s 50th Binirayan Festival in December, and preparations for the Western Visayas Regional Athletics Association meet next year.

Cadiao added that the budget for essential needs of provincial government offices and district hospitals, along with memorandums of agreement (MOAs) with national government agencies and private institutions, also remain pending.

She further highlighted the delay in distributing P50 million in financial assistance from the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program of the Office of the President.

The PAFF, intended to assist farmers and fisherfolk severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon, was turned over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Antique on June 27.

Data from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) shows that 7,067 farmers and fisherfolk in the province are set to receive P10,000 each.

“We can’t distribute the PAFF, and our farmers are struggling during this ‘tigurutom’ [famine] period since it’s the non-harvest season, compounded by heavy rains,” Cadiao explained.

“The money is available, but the MOA between the Department of Agriculture and the governor still needs approval from the SP.”

The PCO previously stated that the provincial government had 30 days to distribute the assistance and submit the liquidation report to the Office of the President.

Cadiao said they initially requested an extension until Sept. 15, but with the new appointments, they would need an additional two weeks or more.

On Sept. 2, the DILG appointed three temporary SP members, who were the next in line from their respective organizations.

These members are Mart Giric Galido of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Ricky Lavega of the Philippine Councilors League, and Julius Pierre Pacificador of the Liga ng mga Barangay.