CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel on Monday vowed to file a bill that will increase the share of local government units in the internal revenue allotment (IRA), drawing praises from Pampanga officials.
Pimentel, who spoke at the flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol, said he will seek a higher share for the 80 provinces, 143 cities and 1,491 municipalities.
Under Title III Share of Local Government Units in the Proceeds of National Taxes, Chapter I Allotment of Internal Revenue, Section 285 Allocation to Local Government Units of R.A. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991: provinces, 23 percent; cities, 23 percent; municipalities, 24 percent; and barangays, 20 percent.
Gov. Lilia Pineda said Pimentel “is an intelligent man who is dedicated despite the fact that he will only sitonly for more than a year as senator.” Pimentel figured in an election protest with former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubirishorty after the 2010 elections and the 1990 bar topnotcher was declared a senator in August 2011.
Pineda urged Pimental to also file a bill that will give salaries and other compensations to rural health workers and barangay workers.
“They need attention and compensation because their role is vital. Our efforts in the province to uplift their lives must be given support through additional benefits due them,” said Pineda in the dialect.
Mabalacat Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales, one of the Pampanga mayors who welcomed Pimentel, said “the senator has genuine concern for LGUs.” He added that the proposed bill will “make the delivery of basic service more reliable.”
Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao joined Board Members RicYabut, Nestor Tolentino, MonzLaus, Jun Dimson, Fritzie David-Dizon and Trina Dizon in welcoming the Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidate.
More than 10 mayors led by Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, Pampanga Mayors’ League president, arrived to listen to the speech of Pimental, son of former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who is regarded as the father of the local government code.
