PCIJ ‘ALLOCABLES’ REPORT: Defensor: 3rd District funds fully implemented

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz “Nonoy” Defensor maintained that all development funds allocated to his district are fully implemented, following the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism’s (PCIJ) release of allocable ceilings for members of the 19th Congress.

In a local radio interview on the sidelines of the recent inauguration and turnover of the new Badiangan Municipal Hall, Defensor said he strives each year to secure the largest possible development budget for the district.

“This is for the Ilonggos. There are no commissions, no ghost projects. All projects are being implemented, including the new Badiangan town hall and road projects that help improve the lives of our constituents,” he said.

PCIJ data shows that the Iloilo 3rd District has an allocable ceiling of PHP 1,346,778,000 per year, totaling PHP 4,070,334,000 from 2023 to 2025.

It ranks sixth highest among 12 district representatives in Western Visayas.

These predetermined ceilings represent the amounts a legislator may access for infrastructure projects under the current Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budgeting system.

PCIJ noted that each representative’s total allocable amount for the 19th Congress was computed as (allocable per year × 3) + PHP 30 million, with the additional PHP 30 million granted to all district representatives in 2025.

Defensor said the funding he delivers to the district is included in the regular proposed budget.

“When it is lacking, we look for ways to further increase the funds through legal insertions. A congressman is disadvantaged if he brings only a small amount of funding to his district,” he explained.

He stressed that the priority is ensuring that these funds produce visible improvements for constituents.