Catanduanes Governor Patrick Azanza clarified that the provincial government has not yet received the scholarship fund donation from the Office of the President.
In a statement, Azanza noted that the delay in the acceptance of the scholarship fund stems from the pending authority that must be granted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
“Sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) po kayo magtanong kung bakit nadelay ang pag-grant ng authority sa Gobernador to accept the donation, kasi may isa daw tumutol. Alamin ninyo kung sino ang tumutol dito sa SP para may accountability sa bagay na ito,” Azanza said.
“Pero ang balita ko, nagbago na daw ng isip yung tumutol. Nung mabasa daw ang guidelines na ipinadala ng DILG, mukhang naliwanagan na daw. Antayin muna natin ang official na Resolution ng SP,” he added.
Azanza explained that the provincial government cannot access the scholarship fund until the necessary resolution authorizing the governor to accept the donation has been approved by the SP.
“Oras matanggap ko ang pirmadong ‘SP Resolution Allowing the Catanduanes Governor to Accept Scholarship Fund Donation from the Office of the President’ agad ko itong isa-submit sa DBM at OP, at doon pa lang natin matatanggap ang pondo,” he said.
“Kaya MALI po itong post na natanggap na umano ng Governor’s Office and pondo para sa BBM scholarship,” Azanza emphasized.
While awaiting the release of the funds, the governor urged municipal governments and barangays to begin identifying scholarship beneficiaries to facilitate faster distribution once the donation is received.
“Samantala, habang inaantay ang pondo, ang mungkahi ko sa mga Mayors at Barangays ay tiyakin na nakapili na ng 5 scholars bawat barangay strictly ayon sa guidelines para tiyak na mabilis ang distribution oras natanggap natin ang nasabing scholarship fund,” he said.
“Barangay level po ang magiging distribution ng nasabing pondo dahil doon po agad ibaba ng probinsya ang pondo oras matanggap ito ng probinsya,” he said.