KAREN’S CHARM FALTERS

SHOW ME THE MONEY. Lawyer Karen Jimeno, communications director of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) stresses a point at yesterday’s consultation with provincial and municipal officials as Cebu Rep. Benhur Salimbangon and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale listens. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Her supermodel-like features, fresh as a daisy look and intelligent and regal bearing were like a breath of fresh air whenever she comes out on TV to explain in layman’s terms the position of the camp of former Chief Justice Renato Corona during his impeachment trial at this time of the year in 2012.

Her highly effective communications skills and superb rapport with the public during Corona’s trial paved the way for US-trained lawyer Karen Jimeno to land a hosting slot in a TV channel’s public affairs program as well as being named “legal coach” in a reality show in another TV network.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson, who was given a yeoman’s job of orchestrating the massive rehabilitation of Yolanda-devastated areas, took the media darling into his team as the communications director of the Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR).

Lacson was hoping she could duplicate what she did for Corona’s camp, that is to effectively engage the public.

Jimeno’s charm offensive however, failed to make headway in Cebu. Local officials, especially the mayors of typhoon-hit towns in the province, were not swayed by Jimeno’s eloquence as they demanded answers as to why government is slow in kickstarting the rehabilitation of areas devasted by the supertyphoon.

“There is a lot of frustration in the towns because they’re not feeling anything from the national government. Let us do away with all the talk and start some action,” said the visibly irked mayor of Medellin town, Ricky Ramirez.

“The people do not need the government to build them a house. They will look for ways to do it themselves but at the least, the national government should make their presence felt and make the people feel more secure,” he added.

Ramirez was among the officials who attended yesterday’s consultation meeting called by the PARR at the Capitol Social Hall. Medellin, was among the towns in northern Cebu that was badly-hit by the superstorm.

Lacson was a no-show in the meeting and instead sent Jimeno  and Joseph Rañola, Public Sector Head and chair of the Center for National Budget to attend the consultation.

During the open forum, Ramirez openly spoke about his frustration towards the slow response of the national government in providing funds to bankroll rebuilding projects in his municipality.

Addressing Jimeno, the mayor urged national government officials to practice “more common sense” in the rebuilding program.

According to Ramirez, the town has depended on the help coming from the private sector, international groups, nongovernment organizations and the Cebu provincial government which extended financial assistance worth P2 million a month after Yolanda.

“There should be more common sense as to the rehab. We have not received anything from the national government. Why not download the money to the LGU directly so that we can start using the money

Santa Fe Mayor Vicente Esgana said the local government unit (LGU) cannot shoulder the financial burden of the massive rehabilitation needed.

While the provincial government already submitted to the PARR its P26.8 billion rehabilitation plan last January, they have yet to know how much is the national government allocating for the rehab work in Cebu.

The biggest share of the budget or P23.6 billion is for rebuilding houses and resettlement areas, followed by the cost of implementing the rehabilitation plan at P1.2 billion.

Recovery efforts will focus on 15 towns and Bogo City in north Cebu where damage to agriculture, infrastructure, utilities, livelihood and social infrastructure was estimated at P4.14 billion.

Limitations

In response, Jimeno said she shares the frustration of the local officials but said their office has a number of limitations since it is mainly tasked as a coordinating body for the implementation of the rehabilitation plan between the national agencies, the private sector and the LGUs.

She said PARR does hold control over the funding that has poured in the last few months from foreign donors.

However, it can make recommendations to national government agencies and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) based on the needs of the local government units (LGUs) that make the request.

“I share your frustration with all the bureaucratic red tape because I also came from the private sector before I accepted this post. But to be realistic, what is the role and the abilities of this office to begin with?,” said Jimeno

“I think there’s lack of info as to how PARR was mandated by the president to function. When former senator Lacson was assigned for the position last December, there was no budget, no office and no staff. PARR also had zero budget,” she added,

According to Jimeno, PARR is mandated as the overall manager and coordinator of the rehabilitation and recovery process.“You have someone that you can communicate with directly.

You can keep communicating with your constituents and approach us for your concerns. We will be the ones to coordinate with the line agencies for you,” she said.
Jimeno instead urged local heads to practice more patience and follow procedures set by law in the release of government funds.

Cebu 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon agreed with Jimeno’s call.

However, he said it is also the proper time for the national government to act on the clamor of the local heads.

“As early as possible, we should submit the report. I can understand the frustration of some mayors but I can understand very clearly according to Atty. Jimeno that it is not easy just ask for the release of the funds,” he said.

“DBM will not release without proper documentation and we’ve been briefed in Congress for that. But to think that three months passed, it’s about time to rehabilitate,” said Salimbangon in an interview

According to Rañola, PARR through the request of the LGUs can tap more than P150 billion from the national government’s Special Purpose Funds (SPF).

Out of the total P422 billion for the SPF, around P139 billlion has yet to be appropriated and  can be released depending on the approval of the President.
Another P20 billion is also allocated for the national government’s budget on rehabilitation and reconstruction.

“The question is, how can we avail of the funds? That is why each of you should coordinate with PARR for your requests and rehabilitation plans. We will then forward the request to the President,” he told town mayors in attendance.

Lacson is set to visit Cebu next month to hold another round of meetings with officials, he said.

During the trip, Lacson will go around north Cebu and Bantayan Island with DBM Secretary Florencio Abad and Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, said Rañola.