MANILA, Philippines - Senators on Monday questioned the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) P1.5 billion allocation for potable water supply for waterless areas in the country.

During a hearing on the DILG's proposed P95 billion budget for 2012, Sen. Panfilo Lacson pointed out that providing water supply is not part of the mandate of the DILG.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo explained that the budget was formerly with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and then was passed on to the Department of Health before going to the DILG.

He said that using the budget, local government units will be trained to implement the program.

Senate finance committee chairman Franklin Drilon, however, pointed out that implementing the program is the LWUA's expertise.

He asked the DILG to provide a detailed explanation to the Senate in another hearing on September 27.

"We want to review this very carefully because we do not want this to become a pork barrel in the hands of a naughty and malicious DILG secretary," Drilon told reporters after the hearing.

Drilon said he understands government's reluctance to allocate the fund to LWUA because its previous chair, Prospero Pichay, was accused of corruption.

"But let us not make decisions on the basis of personalities," he said.