Transparency, corruption on use of PDAF

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

If the P-Noy administration would really like to ensure genuine changes in its tuwid na daan, then it has to push ratification the “Freedom of Information Bill,” according to pundits.

The FOI is again in the limelight after many senators and congressmen were found to have allegedly allotted their priority assistance development funds (PDAF) to so-called nongovernment organizations of the Napoles couple worth billions of pesos.

                

The issue is now being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation so we will leave it at that.

                

This has started a debate over whether senators and congressmen should be allowed to have PDAFs. Proponents for the PDAF say this is needed as members of both Houses of Congress have only three years before the next elections and if they commit anomalies, they could be replaced easily, unlike line agency officials who have fixed terms.

                

Entrusting government money to line agency officials, for all projects, proponents say, is one way of encouraging corruption. But then, other quarters say this could be checked with the FOI law as use of government funds would be more transparent, anomalous projects easily found out and corrupt officials exposed and charged.

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 This corner received a press statement on the issue from Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat who expressed full support for the Aquino administration’s campaign for more responsible use of the PDAFto ensure that taxpayers’ money goes to the right projects and programs.

Baguilat said the Aquino administration was on the right track as the Department of Budget and Management has identified a menu of projects that can be funded through the PDAF, such as basic services, primarily education and health care for the poor and marginalized, including indigenous peoples.

Similarly, the Presidential Social Fund is also covered by strict guidelines.Baguilat said he was satisfied with the way it was being used. “The PDAF should thus be used just as effectively.While the PDAF is a discretionary fund in that legislators are given the discretion to identify priority projects, the DBM has given a strict menu of possible projects and programs to be financed from the PDAF.”

One very strict guideline is that the PDAF cannot be coursed through non-government organizations or foundations. The fund should be channelled through either a line agency or the local government unit, which means complying with strict rules of the Commission on Audit, according to Baguilat.

He said the provision of such a menu of projects already ensures that the PDAF, under the Aquino administration, goes to intended beneficiaries, which is a departure from the previous practice where the funds can be channeled to different organizations, thus making it prone to abuse.

“This is one reason why the chances of the PDAF being abused under the current administration are slim since the DBM has installed strict guidelines.”

Baguilat said by itself, the PDAF can be an equalizing fund because it gives smaller political constituencies such as Ifugao priority in terms of share of the national budget. Most of the scholarships, small infrastructure projects and medical assistance going to these small provinces are funded through the PDAF.

“Normally under national standards, the smaller political constituencies may be at a disadvantage in terms of allocation because they are low on the priority list. For example, the national standard is a classroom or teacher for every 45 pupils. But in some areas, the class size will be much smaller. Through PDAF, these students will be able to get the education they need,” he said.

Baguilat believes that criticisms against the PDAF have been addressed and safeguards are already in place to make sure that the funds that come from taxpayers do not go to unnecessary projects or line the pockets of unscrupulous representatives.

He said this is in keeping with the Aquino administration’s campaign toward good governance and transparency in government.