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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Monday, June 26, 2017
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MANILA – Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III removed the limit to the welfare assistance that each senator’s office may shell out.
Taking off the 5-percent cap will allow senators to provide more aid to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Marawi City.
Section 3, Item 17.1 of Memorandum Circular 2016-002 stated that the Senate president may grant exemptions to the Welfare Assistance allocation limit of 5 percent of the budget of each senator’s office.
“The war against terrorism is not just won with bullets and bombs. It is won by the unity of the people,” said Pimentel.
Around 230,000 have fled the conflict-torn city as the Maute local terrorist group took over parts of the Lanao del Sur capital.
Fatalities resulting from the fight between government troops and the Maute group, which started after an attempt by the military to arrest Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon on May 23, reached 375, government data showed.
Pimentel said the end of Ramadan today is expected to increase the food needs of Marawi residents in evacuation centers.
Muslims traditionally celebrate the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, with feasts, the senator from Cagayan de Oro said.
“Let’s join our Muslim brethren in celebrating Eid al-Fitr with prayers for peace and giving them help in their hour of need,” he said./PN
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