LAWMAKERS yesterday challenged Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad to “walk the talk” by immediately releasing the funds intended for various congressional districts in the countryside.

Abad earlier assured four members of the House opposition that their pork barrel was forthcoming.

Two lawmakers who refused to be named after receiving their Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) or pork barrel said Abad should not prolong the agony of the people depending on the vital projects of lawmakers being funded by PDAF.

“I hope Secretary Abad will be true to his word so that interests of the people in the countryside will not be jeopardized. His actions should be consistent with his words,” said the lawmaker from a Luzon province near Metro Manila.

The congressman from Luzon was reacting to the confirmation made by Abad that he is now processing the release of the PDAF of at least four more opposition lawmakers.

Abad said the statement of House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on the release of the pork barrel of Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand “Martin” Romualdez and Mindoro Occidental  Rep. Ma. Amelita “Girlie” Villarosa was correct.

Another lawmaker from Mindanao, who also requested anonymity for fear that the second tranche of his pork barrel could be withheld, said Abad must not let other districts suffer because of politics.

“Secretary Abad should practice what he preaches that no single legislative district would be deprived,” said the Mindanao congressman.

In an ambush interview in New York City during President Benigno Aquino III’s official visit, the budget chief clarified  that no single district in the country would be deprived of pork barrel funds.

“Walang distritong hindi mabibigyan at hindi magsa-suffer ang scholarship at medical assistance program,” said Abad.

In the case of Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas, Abad said the pork barrel of the Mindanao lawmaker was already released.

But Abad admitted that the first tranche of PDAF in the amount of P35 million for House Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo and Iloilo Rep. Augusto “Buboy” Syjuco are still being discussed.

But Magsaysay maintained that Abad is jeopardizing the livelihood programs and infrastructure development in some congressional districts in the countryside with the continued non-release of pork barrel of some opposition lawmakers.

Magsaysay said the people have been affected by the non-release of the lawmakers’ pork due to the lack of resources to help them.

“They should not take away the chance of the poor people to have a better life through livelihood assistance and infrastructure development. These projects are beneficial to all,” said Magsaysay.