MANILA, Philippines, June 13 (UPI) -- Philippine congressmen from Mindanao want release of $94,000 from their specil allocations for peace efforts.
The Manila Bulletin reported on June 12 that Representatives Robert Ace Barbers (Lakas, Surigao del Norte), Faysah R.P.M. Dumarpa (Lakas, Lanao del Sur), Suharto Mangudadatu (Kampi, Sultan Kudarat), Isidoro Real (Lakas, Zamboanga del Sur) and Abdullah Dimaporo (Lakas, Lanao del Norte) are urging President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to allocate matching funds for the endeavor.
The Mindanao congressmen urged the immediate release of the funds from their allocations in the infrastructure program of the Department of Public Works and Highways for 2006 in House Resolution No. 1220.
Representative Barbers said that House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. initiated the funding program to strengthen the "effective pursuit of government's campaign against lawlessness" in Mindanao, labeling the program "The Mindanao Peace and Development Fund 2006."
De Venecia had started his initiative at the height of the 2005 series of terrorist attacks in several areas of Muslim-dominated Mindanao.
In the legislation de Valencia said, "The MPDF 2006 is needed to continue the campaign against lawlessness in Mindanao. In view of the prevailing circumstances and the paramount urgency of ensuring the rule of law, it has become imperative for the members of the national leadership, both in the legislative and executive branches of government, to again cross party lines in favor of a unified and concerted effort to help law enforcement agencies and local officials put an end to violence in Mindanao."
