MANILA — In a heartfelt announcement, Representative Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol Partylist on Monday (13 Jan 2025) confirmed his decision to step down as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, citing pressing health concerns as the primary reason for his resignation.

Co expressed his deep gratitude to his colleagues in Congress for their understanding and support in accepting his decision.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the majority in Congress for graciously accepting my decision to step down as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. This decision, made with a heavy heart, is driven by pressing health concerns,” Rep. Co said in his statement. “The highly demanding nature of my role has taken its toll, and I now need to prioritize seeking the medical attention necessary for my well-being.”

As the former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Co had a pivotal role in shaping the national budget, ensuring its alignment with the country’s economic priorities.

Reflecting on his time in office, he expressed pride in the accomplishments achieved during his tenure, particularly in the implementation of welfare programs like the Ayuda sa Kapos and Kita Program, which provided essential support to families facing financial hardship.

Co also highlighted his key role in securing the budgets for 2023, 2024, and 2025, ensuring that they aligned with the President’s eight-point economic agenda. His leadership in securing funding for critical sectors such as health, housing, and food security — particularly for legacy hospitals and contract farming initiatives — stood out as significant milestones of his tenure.

“I have always served at the pleasure of the majority. I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with the immense responsibility of steering the nation’s budget in service of the House of the people and the constituents we represent,” Co said, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him.

Despite his decision to step down from the committee chairmanship, Co remains committed to his duties as a member of the House of Representatives and will continue to serve his constituents.

“I take pride in what we have accomplished together in these past three years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such meaningful work. Thank you for this extraordinary privilege to serve,” he added.

The House leadership has yet to announce a replacement for the position, but Co’s departure marks the end of an era of influential budgeting leadership in the Philippine Congress.

Rep. Co’s decision to prioritize his health underscores the importance of personal well-being in the demanding world of public service, as he steps back from his high-profile role to focus on recovery.

elamigo/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA – Ako Bicol Party-List Representative and Appropriations Committee Chairman Zaldy Co on Friday (25 Oct 2024) firmly denied circulating social media rumors alleging a large budget allocation for flood control in the Bicol Region, calling these reports “false and unfounded.”

In a statement, Co clarified that Bicol actually has one of the lowest national allocations for road infrastructure and flood control projects.

“There’s no truth to the alleged billion-peso appropriations for Bicol flood control. In fact, the region’s funding for national roads and flood control is among the smallest in the country,” Co emphasized.

The Bicolano legislator highlighted that the current administration’s infrastructure strategy, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, integrates flood control with sustainable water management to boost food security. Co pointed to ongoing efforts linking flood control projects to National Irrigation Administration (NIA) water impounding facilities, which provide essential irrigation for local farms.

“Under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, Congress ensures that flood control initiatives are connected to NIA’s water management system, directly supporting agriculture,” Co said, underscoring the administration’s commitment to sustainability.

Co credited reforms in the Romualdez-led Congress for preventing unnecessary flood control spending, noting that only projects aligned with safety and food production goals receive funding.

“For the first time in three decades, we’ve stopped funding flood control projects, rocknetting, and safety devices that lack long-term benefits,” he added.

Co contrasted this with the previous administration’s P51-billion allocation for Davao and nearly P200 billion for rocknetting over three years, often lacking alignment with food security and public safety. Under current leadership, Co asserted, every peso is directed toward impactful projects that mitigate disasters and strengthen food production in Bicol.

Co reaffirmed his commitment to responsible spending, ensuring that infrastructure funds support sustainable development in the region.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — With former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte losing his political clout and the diminishing popularity of Vice President Sara Duterte, suddenly Davao City’s 1st district Representative Paolo “Pulong” Zimmerman Duterte found himself in a maelstrom as Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co is poised to verify reports that P51 billion was allocated to the district of the young Duterte lawmaker.

Pulong Duterte, who represents Davao City’s 1st district, earlier complained that P2 billion worth of projects were removed by the House leadership, sparking controversy over budget allocations.

“Sabagay, nung 18th Congress ay naririnig ko na yan, na napakalaking pondo ang na-release sa south, sa Mindanao, especially Davao tawag daw diyan Holy Land. Wala naman makapag question niyan sa Kongreso… ang average P500 million to P1 billion. Pag 2 billion, 3 to 4 billion medyo sacred cow ka niyan,” said Co who chairs the House Committee on Appropriations.

He admitted, however, that he still had to get hold of documents that would validate the reports of P51 billion allocated to Pulong’s district during FPRRD’s term.

“That is so much yan 51 billion… Wala pa akong hawak na dokumento pero pinapahanap ko na po ito. Mukhang 99% itong P51 billion mukhang totoo po yan,” Co further said in a radio interview.

Last week, Pulong posted on Facebook that some P2 billion worth of projects intended for his district were removed by the current leadership of the House of Representatives.

“I also would like to inform all Dabawenyos, most especially in my district, that the House leadership has taken out P2 billion from your NEP (National Expenditure Program) budget for the district and left only a measly P500 million for Dabawenyos this year,” the young Duterte said in a FB post.

(el Amigo/MNM)