Looks like pork but it’s not- Rama

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday defended a  proposed P36 million lumpsum for councilors and the vice mayor in his administration’s draft budget for 2015.

The outlay, to be spread among city legislators at P2 million each to fund projects of their choice, was likened by critics to the controversial pork barrel of  congressmen.

“For me, it’s not a local pork barrel,” Rama  told reporters after the amount surfaced in  budget hearings  of the  City Council where the P36 million was classifed as “various social and other development projects”.

“It is a way to bring projects. Because the more projects reaching the barangay, the better it will be since it’s not just the mayor handling it centrally,” Rama said.

Councilors Alvin Dizon, Margot Osmeña, Lea Japson and Alvin Arcilla  of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan said  they were not interested in getting a share if the item is eventually passed in the annual budget.

“We don’t compel them. If they don’t receive, then we’ll find a way where it may be handled by other councilors for programs and projects that can be done. I’m always into empowerment and bringing all to be involved so that many will also be delivering services,” Rama explained.

“Local pork barrel? Why, are they intending to make money out of it? Because (the term) a local pork barrel is always carrying an orientation of making money out of it. If they will pursue that direction, they will be the one to be accountable,” the mayor added.