Press Release
August 11, 2014

Nancy: DBM taking too long to produce DAP documents

Senator Nancy Binay believes that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is taking too long to produce additional documents on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) which she has earlier requested during a hearing on the said controversial program.

The lady senator sent Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, chairman of the Senate Finance committee, a letter requesting an update on the DBM's submission of following documents:

1. Detailed listing of sources of savings amounting to P237 billion used to fund DAP projects and other projects not included in DAP (including, but not limited to, Special Allotment Release Orders [SAROs], Notice of Cash Allocations [NCAs], letters and correspondences between DBM and government agencies relating to public funds withdrawn from and released to a particular government agency);

2. Detailed listing of projects similar to COMELEC which are not included in DAP but obtained funding through savings amounting to P93 billion (including, but not limited to, Special Allotment Release Orders [SAROs], Notice of Cash Allocations [NCAs], letters and correspondences between DBM and government agencies relating to public funds withdrawn from and released to a particular government agency);

3. Detailed listing of the amounts approved and released for DAP projects in 2011 (P83.53 billion), 2012 (P58.70 billion) and 2013 (P15.13 billion) as stated I the DBM DAP Frequently Asked Questions posted on DBM's website. There are discrepancies between the amounts stated in DAP FAQs and list of DAP Projects although both documents were prepared and released by DBM;

4. List of Department of Health projects and researches recommended for funding through DAP;

5. Copy of the research paper on stem cell submitted to DOH which was published internationally.

"Consistent with my commitment to ensure that public funds are spent in accordance with the Constitution and appropriations law, it is imperative that the DBM provide the documents I previously requested," Binay said in the letter.

It was last July 24 when the Senate finance committee, held its first hearing on the acceleration program.

During the said hearing, Binay questioned the reason behind the creation of DAP which Secretary Abad has been defending for its supposed benefits for the Philippine economy.

The lady senator also expressed fear that the DAP may be under the discretion of the Executive, giving them the power to choose where certain funds go. She questioned how projects funded by the acceleration program were chosen, saying that they did not seem urgent and that the money could have been used to fund more pressing concerns of the people.

Binay asked for the said documents in a bid to continue looking into the DAP issue, saying "importante po ang mga dokumento na ito upang masagot ang mga katanungang bumabagabag sa ating mga mamamayan. Ang takot po ng taumbayan ay ang paggamit ng DAP sa maling paraan--ang pagpondo sa mga proyekto na basta lamang pinili nang walang masinsinang pagsusuri."

"Karapatan po ng mamamayan na malaman kung saan inilalagak ng pamahalaan ang buwis na pinaghihirapan nila. Sana po, hindi dito magtapos ang ating efforts na malaman ang katotohanan sa likod ng DAP," Binay said.

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