Abad: Unfinished DAP-funded Projects Worry Executive

Budget secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad in a hearing before the senate finance committee Thursday admitted that the Aquino administration is still clueless as to how to proceed with those projects funded by the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) after the high court rendered part of it as unconstitutional.

Abad said the executive is still debating over this issue, seeking which of those project are yet to be completed. He said the bureaucracy is worried over the unfinished ones. Abad added they need to consult with legal experts on what should be done with these projects.

“Kailangang isangguni sa legal experts kasi hindi masyadong maliwanag ang sinasabi ng Korte Suprema,” he said. “Makakatulong po kung maririnig namin ang Kongreso.” he said in a televised hearing at the senate.

During the hearing, Abad defended the DAP before the Senate committee saying that the Supreme Court decision will not encourage efficient public spending nor will it push agencies to use funds for public services.

Abad described DAP as an urgent response to an urgent problem, as low expenditures pose threat to the economic development of the country.

He added that the SC ruling will send a chilling effect on the administration’s momentum of reform as it prevent officials to seek innovative solutions to problems. When DAP was implemented, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) dramatically grew 6.8 percent in 2012 and 7.23 percent in 2013, he said.

Abad said DAP yielded positive results.

Abad offered his resignation in light of the controversy over DAP but President Aquino rejected his resignation. The president said accepting Abad’s resignation would be tantamount to admitting that the DAP is flawed.

Sources: ANC, GMA news online