House member cites 'cash management issues' for delayed project, aid releases

A member of the House of Representatives attributed the National Unity Party’s (NUP) complaint about delayed releases for infrastructure projects and social services to “cash management issues,” rather than what the party described as the practice of punishing districts and communities for the opinions or votes of their representatives that run counter to majority positions.

In a press conference on Wednesday, House Deputy Speaker and NUP president Rep. Ronaldo Puno said, "When a congressman does not vote the way the majority wants us to vote, it is not the correct reaction to deprive their constituents, and their voters, and their communities of whatever assistance that they deserve. Ang bawian, kami na lang. Huwag na yung distrito." (Let the backlash fall on us, not on the district.)

"Sometimes you will talk to departments. I won't mention specific ones. They will say we cannot release this because there was an order to stop," he added.

Puno also stated that some members of other parties share this sentiment.

Quezon 1st district Rep. Mark Enverga, a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition and part of the majority bloc in the House of Representatives, confirmed that some fund releases are on hold, but he believes it may be tied to budget issues.

"We know maraming naka-hold. And we know na ‘yung budget, tight yung deficit issues. So siyempre, it’s cash management also," Enverga, who is a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, said in an interview Thursday.

"May mga nakakausap kasi ako na 'yung mga hindi supposedly sumusunod. I asked them kung may release sila. Mayroon naman silang releases," he stated.

Enverga said the executive department could better explain the issue.

"Saka siguro ‘yung collections. It could be that. But of course that’s the executive. Sila naman ang familiar with that. It’s the DBM who would know better sa cash management position ng executive," he said.

Enverga's partymate Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan added that "even ‘yung mga nag-yes actually, nagfa-follow up sila sa amin, for those that said yes during that big issue about the impeachment voting. Parang it’s all the same. If something is not being implemented or something is being implemented, it’s for all. It’s happening in all districts."

Singson-Meehan stated that fund releases were "moving, but it’s slow."

"Plus, there was the fuel crisis na they prioritize lang ‘yong subsidies. So priority ‘yon. So whatever that’s usually being put down to everywhere, na-hold lang kasi they prioritize, which everyone agreed na mauna ‘yung mga ‘yon," she added.

The NUP also complained that even fund releases for 2025 were delayed.

Enverga explained it may be because of scrutiny of flood control projects.

"I think magulo ‘yon kasi na-FLR (For Later Release) talaga, questionable, ‘di ba? It’s 2025, maraming questionable yata. I don’t know how that’s treated," he said.

The NUP also said yesterday that "there's an uneven and selective approach in the programming and continuation of DPWH projects across certain districts and provinces."

But Enverga and Singson-Meehan disagreed.

"I don’t think so... We don’t see a pattern kasi," Singson-Meehan said.

"Hindi naman siguro because everyone gets a release... Especially those ‘yung mga who abstained or did not vote (in the impeachment,) may release sila, as far as I’ve spoken to them," Enverga said.

Enverga added that the NPC has not yet conducted a meeting on this issue.

When asked for his comment, House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan replied, "Wala naman kaming ganoong problema sa minority." —LDF, GMA News