Cagayan lawmaker wants more funds for Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has urged the Marcos administration to increase the budget allocation for Mindanao by at least 5% of the national budget or about P286 billion to promote peace and development in the southern region.

Rodriguez noted that Mindanao was allocated only 13% or some P650 billion in this year’s national budget. He argued that Mindanao is entitled to more funds because based on the 2020 census, it has over 26.3 million population or 24% of the country’s population of 109.6 million.

He said the region also contributes 17% of the nation’s yearly total output of products and services.

“If our island receives 5 percent more next year, or 18% of a possible P5.2 trillion budget, our total allocation would come up to P936 billion, or an additional P286 billion. That would go a long way in helping our people and developing our region,” he said.

He said President Bongbong Marcos could likewise include in his first State of the Nation Address the following projects for Mindanao - immediate funding for the P83-billion for the 102-kilometer first phase (Tagum-Davao City-Digos) of the planned Mindanao railway; the faster implementation of programs for coconut farmers under the Coconut Trust Fund Law; completion of the rehabilitation of Marawi City; and final peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army for lasting peace in the South.

To further speed up the island’s development, the lawmaker suggested that Marcos transfer the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Mindanao, as well as appoint the secretaries of the two departments from qualified Mindanao professionals.

“The heads of these agencies will have their hands full in growing and exploring the farming and natural resources sectors, including minerals, in our island. However, the President should ban the highly destructive open-pit mining,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)