31 August 2005
LGUs persist on ‘junkets’
CALASIAO – Some local officials do not seem to give a hoot to Malacanang’s order for government agencies to observe austerity measures as they pursue their respective junkets justified as “study tours.”
Three sanggunian members from Calasiao reportedly went to Davao City along with some councilors from San Jacinto to attend an executive forum. Three Binmaley councilors traveled to Bohol for unclear reasons
On the other hand, the municipal treasurer of Sta. Barbara, Juanita Fernandez, reportedly traveled to Thailand to attend a seminar, a move that angered barangay officials because it allegedly caused delay in the release of their funds, it was learned.
President Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered government offices to strictly adopt austerity measures because of the prevailing economic problems caused by the unrelenting rise in the prices of oil in the world market.
Crude oil price in the international market has gone up to $67 per barrel in the past few days.
Meanwhile, the department of interior and local government said it was up to the local government unit concerned if it would allow some of its personnel to go on what is described as Lakbay Aral.
Officer-in-charge Romulo Prangan said that LGUs have to weigh factors like availability of funds and the subject matter of the seminar itself or the objective of the travel. “Lalo na ngayon meron nang pinalabas ang Malacanang tungkol sa pagtitipid,” he noted.
Citing a directive from the regional office, he said that the decision rests on the LGUs whether to allow their personnel to attend seminars far from their workplaces like Cebu or Davao.
It will be recalled that criticisms rained on some Binmaley councilors a few months ago when they went to the tourist destination Boracay. The aldermen justified their junket saying they went there to take a look at the thriving tourism business there which could be done in their own town too.
The people of Binmaley however have yet to see the fruit of their expensive travel as the town’s beach area has practically remained in the same state without any visible sign of improvement.
Three sanggunian members from Calasiao reportedly went to Davao City along with some councilors from San Jacinto to attend an executive forum. Three Binmaley councilors traveled to Bohol for unclear reasons
On the other hand, the municipal treasurer of Sta. Barbara, Juanita Fernandez, reportedly traveled to Thailand to attend a seminar, a move that angered barangay officials because it allegedly caused delay in the release of their funds, it was learned.
President Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered government offices to strictly adopt austerity measures because of the prevailing economic problems caused by the unrelenting rise in the prices of oil in the world market.
Crude oil price in the international market has gone up to $67 per barrel in the past few days.
Meanwhile, the department of interior and local government said it was up to the local government unit concerned if it would allow some of its personnel to go on what is described as Lakbay Aral.
Officer-in-charge Romulo Prangan said that LGUs have to weigh factors like availability of funds and the subject matter of the seminar itself or the objective of the travel. “Lalo na ngayon meron nang pinalabas ang Malacanang tungkol sa pagtitipid,” he noted.
Citing a directive from the regional office, he said that the decision rests on the LGUs whether to allow their personnel to attend seminars far from their workplaces like Cebu or Davao.
It will be recalled that criticisms rained on some Binmaley councilors a few months ago when they went to the tourist destination Boracay. The aldermen justified their junket saying they went there to take a look at the thriving tourism business there which could be done in their own town too.
The people of Binmaley however have yet to see the fruit of their expensive travel as the town’s beach area has practically remained in the same state without any visible sign of improvement.
