Accounting of DAP projects in ARMM pressed

 
Ali G. Macabalang

COTABATO CITY – Peace and good government advocates are renewing public clamor for accounting of some P8.5-billion funds allocated out of the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which the Aquino government wants to evolve from being a “failed experiment.”

One of them, Fr. Eliseo Mercado Jr., executive director of the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG), yesterday urged authorities to publicize the locations, beneficiaries and natures of DAP-funded projects in ARMM in pursuit of the administration’s transparency and straight path (tuwid na daan) policies.

In his Facebook page, Fr. Mercado, OMI, a former president of the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City and active player in the Mindanao peace processes, asked the public to “join me in scrutinizing” the DAP funds whereabouts in the 24-year old ARMM.

The outspoken Church leader underscored the need for accounting of the controversial funds, as he cited a complaint from incumbent Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan of Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao about an alleged miscarriage of a road project in his town that was funded under the DAP.

“My good friend, Mayor Zam of Rajah Buayan is complaining that the road project from Pagatin to Barurao with 250 million-peso allocation is the WORST Road project he has ever seen in his entire life... This is under the stimulus fund and DAP!,” Mercado said.

Barely two days after the Supreme Court ruled the DAP unconstitutional, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman announced his suspension of DAP-funded projects in his region purportedly to help protect Malacañang from consequent ridicules.

However, Fr. Mercado and other local concerned sectors would want the ARMM leadership to account for the P8.6 DAP funds spent and suspended in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu provinces and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, all components of the autonomous region.

Using satirical terms, Fr. Mercado said, “’Heaven’ would provide me with all the projects funded by DAP... and once I have it in my hand, (the public) can join me in scrutinizing them.”

He particularly asked: “What projects (were) undertaken from the DAP funds? Where are these projects undertaken and who were the beneficiaries? Who were the contractors awarded?.Were these funds and projects properly bided; published; and audited?” (Ali G. Macabalang)