MANILA, OCTOBER 26, 2010 (STAR ) By Jess Diaz - The government spent more than P1 billion for the river clearing projects of Arroyo administration allies before the May 10 national elections.
The amount is part of more than P16 billion then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo released to her congressional supporters apparently to boost their candidacy.
Mrs. Arroyo is now a congresswoman representing the second district of Pampanga.
The river de-silting/dredging funds went mostly to Romblon, Albay and Leyte.
Except for P10 million for Manila, none of the Rizal and Metro Manila cities and towns flooded by "Ondoy" and "Pepeng" last year like Marikina, Pasig and Cainta received money for clearing of rivers and waterways.
Most of the P1 billion was released on Feb. 18, less than three months before the combined national-congressional-local elections last May 10. Of that amount, P360 million went to Romblon, P252 million to Albay and P160 million to Leyte.
Albay received an additional P50 million on May 21, 11 days after the elections, the same day that Antique got P123 million in river de-silting funds.
According to private contractors, waterway clearing projects are among the most profitable government contracts since accomplishments are difficult to measure.
Of the more than P300 million in river de-clogging funds Mrs. Arroyo released to Romblon, P25 million was for Cantingas, P20 million for Taclobo, P35 million for Mabulo, and P15 million for Pili rivers in San Fernando town; P20 million for Bahag River in Alcantara; P35 million for Agbunyog and P15 million for Tuburan-Agtigbao rivers in Sta. Maria; P25 million each for Tuguis, Tabobo-an and Patoo rivers in Odiongan; P15 million for Cagboaya River in San Agustin; P35 million each for East Lumbang and Lico rivers in Cajidiocan; P15 million for Agutay River in Magdiwang; and P30 million for Calagonsao River in the town of Alcantara.
In Albay, P5 million was for Nagsipit River, P5 million for San Vicente River (San Antonio section), P10 million for Buang River, another P5 million for San Vicente River (Pinagbobong section), and P5 million for Tagas River (Bongabong-Comon section), all in Tabaco City; P10 million for Tagui River (Nagas section) and P20 million for Nagas River in Tiwi; P10 million for Bulawan River in Malilipot; P8 million each for the Estancia-to-Pawa and Oras-to-Comon sections of Quinale River and P20 million for Soa-Comon River, both in Malinao town; P10 million for Basud River (San Antonio section) in Sto. Domingo; P6 million for Vinisitahan River in Bacacay; P20 million each for the lower and upper sections of Banao River in Guinobatan; and P25 million for San Francisco River in the town of Polangui.
The funds that were released to Leyte were P20 million for Tigbao River, P20 million for Mahayahay and Sagkahan creeks, and P10 million for Taboan waterways, all in Tacloban City; P20 million for Calogcog and Solano rivers, and another P20 million for Guinaroa River in Tanauan town; P20 million for Candahug waterways in Palo; P40 million for Cabayongan River in Jaro; and P10 million for Pagsangaan River in Liloan, Ormoc City.
In Biliran, P20 million went to Mainit River, P20 million to Calambis flood control, P20 million to Caibiran River, and another P20 million to Kaulangohan River, all in Caibiran town; and P20 million to Anas River in Naval.
In Manila, P10 million was released for the clearing of Estero de Binondo and Estero de la Reina in Binondo.
In Central Luzon, Mrs. Arroyo released P5 million for the de-clogging of Sta. Lucia creek in her hometown of Lubao and P10 million for the rechanneling of Talavera River in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
Catanduanes got P20 million for the deepening of Sagrada River in Viga town.
Marikina received P5 million for the repair of a damaged riprap along Park Creek and another P5 million for the repair of a gravity wall along Nangka River.
On May 25, 11 days after the elections , Mrs. Arroyo made available to Albay an additional P50 million: P30 million for the channelization of Padang River in Legazpi City and P20 million for the channelization of Bubulusan River in Guinobatan town.
On the same day, the lone district of Antique got P163 million for river "de-silting/deepening" projects: P21 million for Yapo River in Barbaza, P19 million for Sabang River in Bugasong, P21 million for Panganta River in Culasi, P21 million for Buluangan I and another P21 million for Buluangan II in Valderrama, and P20 million for Bacalan River in Sebaste.
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