Arroyo orders release of IRAs for Bohol
Published February 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently ordered the release of the January internal revenue allotments for different local government units in Bohol with a promise to give this year's remaining monthly IRA on time.
Gov. Rene Relampagos and Vice Gov. Edgar Chatto hailed the swift release of the fund, saying that the long delayed IRAs, as in the past was detrimental to less basic services when they are most needed.
Bohol's shares amount to P80 million more or less every month, including the total allo-
cation for the 1,109 barangays provincewide.
Arroyo's IRA release instruction was received by Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin, who in turn announced the issuance of corresponding checks.
The total IRA nationwide for January alone is pegged at P8.9 billion, which will be divided at P3.1 billion for the municipalities, P2.2 billion for provinces, P2 billion for cities and P1.7 billion for the barangays.
The delayed releases of the IRAs during the administration of deposed Pres. Joseph Estrada have taught LGUs better lessons, what with the other factors contributing to the economic setback that resulted in bad fiscal management last year.
Antequera Mayor Samuel Rebosura cited, for example, the delayed December IRA for his municipality which forced the local government to use its calamity reserve fund to partly pay the town hall workers.
Several towns in Bohol have even been forced to reenact their respective 2000 annual budgets despite the rising cost of local government operations.
The amount of the IRA for January, this year, is the same as year 2000 since the national budget for the Appropriations Act for 2001 is yet pending in Congress.
The Department of Budget and Management assured the LGUs to receive their January shares anytime this week.
Boncodin said the P8.9 billion IRA for countrywide distribution has been released through the government depositories like the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Philippine National Bank and the Philippine Veterans' Bank. (VCA)
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