By CESAR JOLITO III
Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has raised red flags over what he calls the “alarming centralization” and lack of transparency in the 2024 and 2025 national budgets, warning that political favoritism is skewing public fund allocation away from communities that need it most.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, July 29, Benitez criticized what he described as the uneven and opaque distribution of government resources under the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which he said threatens inclusive national development.
“Many now question whether the final budget passed by Congress truly reflects the needs of ordinary Filipinos,” Benitez said, noting that while some local government units enjoy excessive infrastructure funding, others — especially those in underserved areas — are left behind.
He pointed to the P1.11 trillion allocation for the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2025 as a prime example of disproportion, adding that “key social services like education, healthcare and social protection are being deprioritized.”
Benitez’s remarks come amid growing public outcry over alleged “pork-like” insertions in the national budget.
The lawmaker echoed these concerns, saying many are asking whether “pork barrel politics is back — just repackaged under a different label.”
He threw his support behind House Bill proposals that seek to improve transparency in the budget process.
The bill includes provisions for open plenary debates on all budget amendments, the formation of an independent appropriations committee, and stricter checks on aid program disbursements.
“These are concrete and necessary steps toward restoring fairness and accountability in how we spend public funds,” Benitez stressed.
He also referenced President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address, which included a stern warning against questionable budget insertions and political maneuvering.
“The President has sent a strong message. Now it’s up to Congress to follow through,” Benitez said.
“Every peso must be spent where it matters most — in classrooms, health centers, housing, livelihood, and communities that have long been neglected,” he added.
Benitez concluded by calling for sweeping reforms in how national funds are distributed, insisting that “the time has come to fix a broken system and make the budget truly work for all Filipinos.”/CJ, WDJ