Legislators paid to make laws

This refers to the article “Koko: What’s wrong with pet projects?” (News, 1/10/17).  I have always maintained that proposing projects is not the job of lawmakers. Senators should focus on their primary duty—to make laws.

Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, identifies local development councils in all local government units (LGUs)—barangays, towns, cities and provinces—as the focal point for the proposal of projects meant for LGUs.  The membership of these councils includes representatives from nongovernment organizations and people’s organizations accredited by the sanggunian.  They know more about the local conditions and the needs of the people, and so they are in a better position to propose projects for their locality.

The code also provides that a representative of the congressman shall sit as a member of the council for purposes of fund augmentation should identified projects require huge capital outlays.  Similarly, the development councils may request for funding assistance from the national government or from the senators and their congressmen, if they don’t have the financial capacity to complete their projects.

I am disappointed that some of the senators are trying to resurrect the “pork barrel” which has been declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.

Please, Mr. Senators, leave the identification of local projects to the local development councils. Instead, exercise prudently your legislative powers and make quality laws for our country.  In the first place, you are paid for your work as legislators.

REGINALD B. TAMAYO, Marikina City