By Joann Santiago
MANILA, Oct. 9 (PNA) — A Palace official on Thursday said all projects funded by the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) were identified based on discussions with lawmakers.
”As previously explained, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with leaders of Congress, identified the projects that could readily be implemented, so that the benefits may stimulate economic growth and deliver essential services to the people, especially at the grassroots level,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a briefing.
Coloma’s explanation was made after a news report said a village chief in Hacienda Luisita received P3.5 million for the construction of a two-storey village office.
The PCOO chief stressed that DAP funded projects have tangible effects to the economy.
He said there are established rules and procedures on the releasing of funds under DAP and these were followed throughout its implementation.
According to the claims of farmers group Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala), they based their report about the irregularity on the disbursement of fund from the DBM report on Other Various Local Projects (OVLP).
Coloma said they have to verify this report because this seems anecdotal.
DAP was implemented from 2011-13 and financed P144-billion worth of high-impact and socially-responsive projects targeted to boost domestic growth.
It became controversial especially after the Supreme Court (SC) declared some parts of it unconstitutional. (PNA)