ARMM execs, groups buck abolition of PDAF

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines  – Scrapping the individual Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of lawmakers  will deny their constituents of development projects in their districts, local groups said.

Mujiv Hataman, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor, said the abolition of PDAF of members of the House of Representatives will adversely impact poor sectors, particularly the Moro communities, in the eight congressional districts of ARMM.

“That is counter-productive and will have a devastating effect on the lives of the people in the eight congressional districts in the autonomous region,” Hataman said.

Traditional Moro and ethnic Teduray leaders in Maguindanao have also expressed opposition to the removal of PDAF.

“Our congressional representatives have a practice of consulting people first on what projects are needed in their communities before putting up one and the work plans and budget summaries for each of these projects were made open to our scrutiny,” an ethnic Teduray chieftain, James Mosfeng, of Datu Blah Sinsuat, said in halting Filipino.

Mosfeng, who hails from Ranao Midafa area in Datu Blah Sinsuat, a coastal town in the first district of Maguindanao, said PDAF-assisted projects in their communities, including those in nearby North Upi municipality, are benefitting thousands of indigenous Teduray folks.

Hataman, whose office has political jurisdiction over Maguindanao, a component province of ARMM, said lawmakers should have direct involvement in the implementation of projects in their districts since they are more in touch with the communities they serve and have better insights on domestic issues.

Even Muslim clerics in the province are against the abolition of the PDAF.

“That will stifle the efforts of addressing underdevelopment in our communities through the efforts of our congressional representatives,” said Ustadz Mindo Salik.