links: http://www.da.gov.ph/index.php/2012-03-27-12-04-15/2012-04-17-09-30-59/4227-statement-on-pdaf-ngo-issues-by-agriculture-sec-proceso-j-alcala
Statement on PDAF & NGO issues By Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala
Created on Thursday, 08 August 2013
Since July 2010, the Department of
Agriculture has successfully regained the trust and confidence of its
clienteles and stakeholders.
We have put in place needed policies to
ensure that all agri-fishery infrastructure and livelihood projects,
and other initiatives are implemented as per specifications, and are
undertaken in a transparent, graft-free manner.
Initially, the DA did not implement
agri-fishery projects funded under the Priority Development Assistance
Fund (PDAF) of legislators. However, it was only in August 2012, or
after 25 months, that we have started receiving and processing PDAF
agri-fishery projects.
This acceptance, however, was predicated
on the installation of sufficient safeguards to ensure the proper
implementation of projects under the PDAF of legislators.
Immediately, we formed a special
committee and put in place a system to accredit Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) and People’s Organizations (POs) that will
implement PDAF projects. The system ensures that the NGOs and POs are
legitimate, and have good track record.
To ensure that PDAF projects are
well-monitored, we have implemented stringent measures and safeguards
like releasing funds in tranches, of up to four installments, based on
progress implementation of projects. Reports are submitted by the DA
Monitoring Team to check the actual implementation of the project and
ensure correct liquidation of the fund.
All of these were undertaken prior to
any report or issue on PDAF was heard of. These systems were precisely
installed in the spirit of transparency in government transactions.
Unfortunately, when news of PDAF misuse
broke out, we thereafter convened the DA Special Technical Committee on
PDAF chaired by DA Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Antonio
Fleta.
The Secretary has asked DA Assistant
Secretary for finance Ophelia Agawin to submit soonest her reply to
allegations that she was involved in the selection of “ghost NGOs” that
were proponents of PDAF projects.
In the spirit of transparency, we have
appointed DA Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna as interim chair of
the NGO / PO accreditation committee, effective August 2, 2013. He
replaces Asec Agawin, who will however continue to perform her other
tasks, functions and responsibilities as assistant secretary for
finance.
Additionally, the Internal Audit Service
(IAS) of the DA was tapped to conduct an investigation on the issues
related to PDAF and the alleged fictitious NGOs.
At this juncture, the IAS is conducting a
more in-depth study into the fund releases and the liquidation reports
submitted by the NGOs that implemented PDAF projects.
The IAS is expected to submit their
Initial Audit Report on the accreditation process and compliance by
Thursday, 08 August 2013. Thereafter, IAS is poised to submit their
findings on the liquidation reports of the NGOs on a weekly basis or as
soon thereafter as an NGO is completed.
Bilang pangwakas, patuloy po ang aming imbestigasyon.
Sinuman ang mapapatunayan na may
nagawang katiwalian o pagkakamali sa pagpapatupad ng mga proyekto ng DA —
hindi lamang sa pagpipili ng mga NGOs at POs sa ilalim ng PDAF — ay
aming papatawan ng karampatang penalty o kaparusahan sa ilalim ng mga
kasalukuyang batas.
Department of Agriculture Website
links:
OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS WEBSITES
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
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