Tolentino wants DILG budget for ‘resettlement’ transferred

On Oct 8, 2020

SENATOR Francis Tolentino is pushing for the realignment of the entire resettlement program funds placed under the proposed 2021 budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the newly formed, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

During the deliberation of the DILG budget last October 1, 2020 totaling P243 billion, Tolentino called out DILG Secretary Eduardo Año after noting that P87.289 million of the department’s proposed budget is allocated for resettlement under the item, ‘Capacitating Local Government Units (LGUs) on Resettlement Governance, or the Resettlement Government Assistance Fund (RGAF).

Tolentino suggested that DILG’s RGAF be transferred to DHSUD, noting that the program was spearheaded prior to the formal creation of the housing department and only creates duplication and redundancy of tasks.

For his part, Sec. Año noted that while he agrees with Tolentino’s proposal, the allocation is not solely for relocation but also include other programs for governance reforms and resettlement matters.

Tolentino also emphasized the need to realign the more than P10-million Muslim Resettlement Relocation Services Fund from DILG to DHSUD for the war-torn Marawi City.

The senator noted that Housing Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario’s confirmation before the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) is currently “hanging in the balance” due to his department’s alleged non-focus or lack of resources as far as housing is concerned.

Aside from questioning the DILG’s budget related to the relocation of urban poor dwellers, Tolentino also raised a point on the funding by the DILG related to the continuing rehabilitation of Manila Bay amounting to some P54 million.

The DILG chief explained the amount is to be used for the “audit” of the compliance of Local Government Units (LGUs) as regards the ruling of the Supreme Court on the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

Part of the audit of compliance calls for the giving of “incentives” to LGUs to further encourage them to do their share in cleaning up water tributaries leading to Manila Bay with consistency.