Central Luzon police still on search and rescue operations

Police Chief Superintendent Edgardo T.
Ladao, Regional Director PRO3
while conducting search and rescue
operations in inundated barangays
of Calumpit, Bulacan.

CAMP OLIVAS, San Fernando City, Pampanga, October 6, 2011-Due to incessant rains being dumped by typhoons Pedring and Quiel, the Central Luzon police led by Police Chief Superintendent Edgardo T. Ladao continue in the search and rescue operations along the flooded-stricken towns of Calumpit and Hagonoy, Bulacan and Apalit, Candaba and San Simon, Pampanga.

Ladao said that rescue and retrieval operations started as floodwaters began to rise-up raging from waist deep to 10 feet high particularly barangays from San Miguel, Sta Lucia, all of Calumpit, Bulacan and barangays from Sucad and San Pedro, all of Pampanga. 

Amid the strong water current, PNP Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel equipped with rubber boats were able to rescue a total of 22,146 families stranded from their inundated homes. Residents staying from their rooftops who refused to leave their personal belongings due to fear of burglars were persuaded to evacuate to a safer place.

The elements of RPSB3 while conducting rescue
and retrieval operation along Brgy. San Miguel and
 Sta. Lucia, Calumpit Bulacan

“Our cops were deployed in the region to conduct SAR operations to different provinces affected by the typhoons. Augmentation troops from Police Regional Office 4A were also deployed to flood-affected barangays,” Ladao said, explaining that he directed the SAR Team to conduct search and rescue operations for stranded families particularly on still-inaccessible areas.

“I also sent additional PNP personnel to thwart criminal elements especially looters and profiteers who may take advantage of the situation,” Ladao said. (Jason de Asis)   

P’noy inspected damages of typhoons in Central Luzon

BALER, Aurora, October 6, 2011-President Aquino personally visited and assessed the extent of damages battered by typhoons Pedring and Quiel in the most affected provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan.

Aquino inspected La Paz town section of the Rio Chico river and met with Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson, Tarlac Governor Victor Yap, Tarlac 3^rd district representative Jeci Lapus and La Paz Mayor Michael Manuel at the 246m Rio Chico Bridge.

Heavy siltation of the Rio Chico river is reportedly the main cause of flooding in La Paz that displaced thousands of families and most of the town went unpassable to all types of land vehicles along Romulo highway, Camiling-Bayombong-Pangasinan Sawat section, Lapaz-Zaragosa section, Victoria-Guimba road and Calibungan section; thus, President Aquino ordered Singson to draw a concrete rehabilitation plan for the river to avoid severe flooding in the future.

Aquino then proceeded to the municipal plaza of La Paz and visited some 59 families still evacuated therein. Hundreds of families coming from barangays San Isidro and San Roque sought shelter in the plaza in the height of last week’s floods.

P’noy also proceeded to Pampanga, and visited the site of the ongoing Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project Phase 3-B (PHUMP 3-B) in Barangay San Felipe in the San Fernando City.

Governor Lilia Pineda briefed Aquino regarding the status of the Pampanga river while City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez presented the status of PHUMP 3-B.

Rodriguez said that the PHUMP 3-B is a flood control project that serves as a line of defense for the City of San Fernando and nearby towns against flooding.

A P20 million  fund was committed by Aquino for the dredging, slope protection and rehabilitation of the Balimbing creek which is a waterway than when overflowed inundates many barangays in the City of San Fernando as well as offered assistance in the relocation of informal settlers along the Pampanga river.

The president also inspected some of the flooded areas in Calumpit, Bulacan aboard a 6x6 Philippine Army truck and visited around 80 families evacuated in the United Pulp and Paper Company compound in Barangay Iba Este.

Aquino then motored to the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos City and attended the joint meeting of the Regional Development Council 3 (RDC 3) and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 3 (RDRRMC 3).

Some cabinet secretaries also participated in the said meeting. Among those who attended include Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Singson, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang.

RDC 3 and RDRRMC 3 members reported to the President the post-Pedring and Quiel recovery and rehabilitation efforts being done in Region 3 and the situation of more than 1,721,122 victims of typhoons.

The Department of Agriculture reported to P’Noy that more than P12 billion pesos of damages has brought by the typhoons. DA undersecretary Antonio Fieta revealed that the biggest damage was in Palay amounting to P11 billion, P221 million damage in high value crops like fruits and vegetables, P3.3 million in livestock and P4 million in fisheries.

Fieta said that a total of 6.5 million metric tons in Palay will be harvested in central Luzon but due to the typhoons it is now gone.

Among the casualties in region 3 reported are 30 death toll, 5 missing and 10 injured brought by typhoons.

Prior to this, Northern Luzon Command chief Major General Jessie Dellosa, OCD Region 3 Director Josefina Timoteo and Central Luzon police region 3 operation and plans division chief Col Amador Corpuz conducted areal survey to the most affected stricken-typhoon in the region.

Dellosa immediately provided air and water assets for rescue and relief operations. The concept adopted by the office of civil defense with the NOLCOM was 1^st priority is rescue then relief operations in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Zambales and Pampanga. (Jason de Asis)  

P150M in savings for government as 12 embassies & consulates abroad shut down

MANILA, October 5, 2011-Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee yesterday said that a total of P150 million annually could become savings on the part of the government as twelve embassies and consulates abroad are facing closure.

“While there would be savings particularly from maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and allowances of officials, the fund would be “realigned” to other foreign posts that need more resources,” Drilon said explaining that they do not intend to ask DFA to undertake a retrenchment program. What they are asking them to do is to realign these funds to countries where they need them because of the overseas Filipinos.

He said that they will not reduce the budget as a result of this closure but they have asked Secretary del Rosario to deploy the manpower and resources to areas where assistance to the overseas Filipino workers would be needed.

“The savings will not be returned to the National Treasury,” Drilon said.

There are 67 embassies and 23 consular offices and four missions to international organizations abroad.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, however, declined to specify the embassies or consular offices that would be affected, saying President Benigno Aquino III has yet to approve their recommendations.

Drilon said that the DFA has recommended the closure of 12 posts in two years, or until 2013. But Drilon said the DFA should accelerate the rationalization program and have it done next year in a budget hearing of the DFA’s proposed P10.9 billion outlay for 2012.

Del Rosario said that they are looking at shutting down six foreign posts by first or second quarter next year and another six by middle of next year.

Drilon said to DFA officials that it is for our national interest that we have a better availability of our limited resources.

Drilon said that while the government’s rationalization plan would have political and diplomatic implications, national interest should be our prime consideration, adding that no foreign policy is altruistic in character. Foreign policies should always be for the benefit of the nation promulgating the foreign policy. In this particular case, it is to our national interest that we rationalize our presence abroad because of our situation, economically, and the need for consular services to OFWs. (Jason de Asis)

1 killed in shootout, 3 members arrested by Aurora cops

BALER, Aurora, October 4, 2011-A top official in this town reported that the leader of holdupper group here was killed in a shootout and three among them were nabbed by Aurora police force after a series of intelligence buildup and follow up operation.

Major Edgardo Togonon said that the encounter sprung at about 3:00 in the afternoon (September 29, 2011), were the joint team of Baler police, Aurora provincial police and Aurora provincial public safety company who proceeded to the reported hide-out cottage of prison escapee Marlito Angara y Bitong at Sitio Calipatan, Barangay Reserva.

“The suspects Roberto Francia Jr, together with Marlito, Jaycee Padua alias Black, and five (5) John Does who were heavily armed suddenly opened fire at the approaching team,” Togonon said.

The police warned the suspects for cease fire but was ignored by the group of Angara that prompted the team for the exchange of fire.

After more or less five (5) minutes of firefights, Marlito was left dead by his group members, Roberto Francia Jr alias Barurot, Jaycee Padua and five (5) John Does managed to escape.

Aurora PNP Crime Laboratory Office led by Police Chief Inspector Arman O. de Vera processed the crime scene.

The police recovered from Marlito’s possession one (1) hand grenade and one (1) .38 Armscor revolver caliber with serial nr 985011.  

On the same day, after 30 minutes of follow-up operation by the authorities at around 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon, suspect Roberto Francia Jr. alias “BARUROT” was intercepted by elements of Dipaculao cops who served as blocking force.

Francia was properly turned over to Baler Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Togonon said that the group of Marlito is also the suspect in AURELCO Robbery Case, Hernandez Robbery with Rape Case and other sensational cases that transpired in Central Aurora.

“This is the effort of the Aurora police force intelligence buildup and we will continue our mission to stop these lawless elements,” Togonon said.

As of this report the police authorities are still on manhunt operation to the other suspects at large while suspects Edgar Estabillo y Sauy, Soriano, and Francia were already in jail. (Jason de Asis)

Villar bats penalties for overpricing among businessmen

MANILA, October 3, 2011-Senator Manny Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce has filed Senate Bill number 1306 which prohibits price gouging or the charging of unconscionably excessive price for certain goods and services in areas affected by major disasters, saying that this measure will penalize businessmen taking advantage of disaster-stricken customers by jacking up prices of essential goods.

Villar said that a law must be enacted penalizing such acts in order to prevent unscrupulous party from taking advantage of consumers during calamities, citing the province of Bulacan where bottled water was sold as high as P140 per bottle affected by Typhoon Pedring.

“The bill prohibits the price gouging of good, piece of equipment, or service provided primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, including food, water, ice, a chemical, a building supply, a tool, a petroleum product, a residential construction, reconstruction, or repair service, or a service for the removal of debris or garbage,” Villar said.

No supplier shall provide, or offer to provide, any consumer good or service in an affected area at an excessive price during the 180-day period after the declaration of a major disaster by the President, under the bill.

“Violation of this act means prison term of not more than one year plus a fine of P10,000,” Villar noted, explaining that prices of goods tend to rise during periods of disasters but reminded businessmen and parties within the chain of distribution of consumer goods to consider the interest of the public and heed the call to treat customers fairly in times of need.

“Kung dadagdagan pa natin ang paghihirap ng mga mamamayan na nasalanta ng bagyo o anumang kalamidad sa pamamagitan ng mataas na presyo ng bilihin, mas lalo pa nating pinabibigat ang sitwasyon at pinapahirap ang kanilang pag-ahon, ” Villar said.

The act also mandates the establishment of a toll-free hotline that a consumer may call to report an incidence of price gouging in the affected area and a program to develop and to distribute to the public informational materials in Filipino and English to assist residents of the affected area in detecting and avoiding price gouging.

“It also directs the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to submit a yearly report to Congress on the number of price gouging complaints and investigations initiated, in progress and completed on price gouging,” Villar said. (Jason de Asis)

Bagyong Pedring Patuloy na Umuusad Patungong Isabela at Aurora

BALER, Aurora, Setyembre 26, 2011-Napanatili ng bagyong Pedring ang lakas nito habang patuloy na umuusad papuntang lalawigan ng Isabela at Aurora.

Ayon sa Baler, Aurora-Pagasa, huling namataan ang bagyo sa layong 260 kilometro sa silangan hilagang silangan ng Virac, Catanduanes.

Taglay pa rin nito ang lakas ng hangin na umaabot sa 110 kilometro bawat oras at may pagbugsong hangin na umaabot ng 140 kilometro bawat oras.

Umuusad ito ng pakanluran hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 17 kilometro bawat oras.

Inaasahan na tatama ang mata ng bagyo sa kalupaan Aurora-Isabela bukas  ng umaga araw ng Martes.

Nakataas ngayon ang signal number 2 sa lalawigan ng Isabela, Aurora, Catanduanes, Pilillo Island, Camarines Norte at Camarines Sur.

Signal number 1 naman sa Albay kabilang na ang Burias Island, Sorsogon, Quezon, Quirino, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Mt. Province, Kalinga at Cagayan.

Dahil dito inalerto ng Pagasa ang mga residente na nasa mga lugar na may storm signals na paghandaan ang mga pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa lalo't nasa 10-20 mm bawat oras ang dalang ulan ng bagyo habang may lawak na 600  kilometro. (Bagong Aurora Website ng Bayan) 

Save dying coconut industry-Kiko

MANILA, September 26, 2011-Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food bats  the Department of Agriculture and key players in the coconut industry to save the country’s dying coconut industry as he welcomes news from President Benigno Aquino III’s U.S. trip regarding potential foreign investments in the Philippine coconut industry.

“The President revealed that two U.S. companies, Pepsi Co. and Vita Coco, are looking to invest $15 million within the next four years, to meet the surging demand for coco water, saying that the country’s ‘buko’ juice is very rich in electrolytes and minerals and could therefore be a healthier alternative to sports drinks,” Pangilinan said, pointing out that these foreign investments will mean nothing if our coconut industry is dead.

Pangilinan said that earlier this month, he called on the Department of Agriculture to allow five billion pesos from the irrigation budget to help save the coconut industry, because no less than the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) had said that the country’s coconut trees are dying.

PCA revealed that over 44 million coconut trees are already classified as “old and senile” and can no longer bear any fruit, saying that about 27 percent of the total agricultural lands (in the Philippines) belong to coconut. “We have plenty of senile trees, those over 60 years old. Of the 230 million trees, 14 percent are old,” PCA Administrator Euclides Flores quoted.

Pangilinan said that the first order of business is to bring the coconut industry back to life. There is a pressing need to revive this dying industry, invest the necessary government funding to boost coconut production and to ensure the income of the farmers, and develop a roadmap for the sustainability of coconut production.

Pangilinan added that aside from the U.S., let’s also look at other markets for buko juice and other coconut products worldwide, especially now that demand is on an upswing again.

“The bottomline for these efforts would be to lift coconut farmers out of poverty. Vhile The Philippines is known for its coconut products, its coconut farmers earn only P30,000 a year,” Pangilinan pointed out.

“How can anyone live or raise a family on just P30.000 a year, or just P2,500 a month,” Pangilinan asked.  “This is totally unacceptable and unjust. With these new investments, coconut industry should be resurgence and a better life for our coconut farmers. The Government and the private sector should make sure that we don’t lose out on this opportunity,” he said. (Jason de Asis)

Estrada slams Robredo over imported fire trucks probe

MANILA, September 25, 2011-Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada slammed the looming fire trucks controversy even as he chided Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo over what he described as his obvious lack of vision to prepare the country during emergency situations especially during fires and natural calamities.

He also took Robredo to task for the continued delay in the purchase of reliable fire trucks which he said are the local government units’ frontline of defense during critical times.

Estrada noted that in critical and emergency situations, fire trucks are our first line of defense and are called to respond and to provide assistance to those who are in need.

“So what’s taking him (Robredo) too long in purchasing fire trucks that are supposed to be distributed to our LGUs?” he asked, saying that the country lacks around 1,600 units of fire trucks to be distributed to LGUs nationwide for them to sufficiently and to efficiently respond during emergency situations records showed.

Estrada likewise questioned Robredo’s preference for imported, more expensive and possibly reconditioned fire trucks over locally manufactured ones.

He stressed that Robredo should explain why he is pushing hard to enter into deal that would pay for a more expensive imported fire trucks over locally manufactured units, adding that the importation was actually already rejected by the Arroyo administration for being erroneous, but the deal was suspiciously revived with the takeover of the Aquino administration.

Estrada was referring to the Rosenbauer fire trucks to be imported from Austria which based on records would cost more than P20 million each as compared to Philippine-made fire trucks worth only P9 million each.

The present deal will import 76 fire trucks for P1.3 billion but the actual plan is for BFP to purchase more than 1,000 units, after which every municipality will receive one fire truck each.

“The Austrian government will lend the money to buy the fire trucks, “in as much as it was a loan, therefore it would earn interests,” Estrada noted.

“Although the acquisition cost for each truck is listed at P17.5 million which is already very expensive when compared to local trucks, it would balloon to P20 million each excluding taxes and duties that will amount to around P185 million,” Estrada pointed out.

The BFP has been patronizing the tropicalized Filipino-made fire trucks that were specifically designed to suit the needs, terrain and fire conditions in the Philippines for many years.

Estrada also slammed Robredo for abandoning the Filipino First policy that seeks to protect the interest of local manufacturers and inventors which is specifically outlined in the Constitution.

“If the Rosenbauer deal pushes through, I believe that it would severely dislocate hundreds if not thousands of Filipino workers in the fire truck manufacturing industry, which is against the job generation efforts of the government,” the senator added.  

The BFP has scheduled a public bidding for the supply of fire trucks on Sept. 30 but the specifications are clearly and specifically designed for imported fire trucks which many observers see as in preparation for the acquisition of the Austrian fire trucks thus depriving locally made fire trucks from participation.

Estrada averred that certainly he don’t see the logic behind Robredo’s insistence to purchase expensive and imported fire trucks when we can buy them at a much lower price from local manufacturers. (Jason de Asis)

No mercy for erring soldier says NOLCOM chief

BALER, Aurora, September, 24, 2011-A top executive of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) lambasted the involvement of a soldier including three civilians after they were nabbed by Baler police in the recent drug net operation at Purok 4, Brgy. Buhangin here Wednesday night, saying that no mercy for erring soldier who will be proven guilty.

NOLCOM Chief, Major General Jessie D. Dellosa said that he will not tolerate the wrongdoings of any personnel under his Command if proven guilty following the apprehension of one Private Jovito Virrey, assigned at 18^th Special Forces Company under the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) based in Hagonoy, Bulacan who was caught in the house of suspected drug pusher identified as Francisco Sotero.

“Let the investigations take its course.  That soldier better explain and justify his presence in that area, otherwise, he will have to face the legal consequences of his actions,”  Dellosa said.  

“The AFP is bent to weed the organization of scalawags and misfits following controversies particularly those involving former officers. “Our Commmander-in-Chief is serious in his "daang matuwid” (straight path) towards genuine reform, and so are we. If some individuals insist in trekking the crooked path,  it is incumbent upon us being their Commander to prevent a few rotten eggs from spoiling the entire organization,” Dellosa said.

Earlier, police anti-drug operation led by Police Chief Inspector Edgardo D. Togonon, Baler PNP chief of police resulted to the arrest of Private Virrey, his brother Reginal both native of Sitio Virrey, Brgy. Pingit, Ricardo delos Santos of Sitio Baclaran, Brgy. Suklayin, and Francisco Sotero of Brgy. Buhangin

The suspects are now in the provincial jail after the Aurora Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory examined them and confirmed that they were all positive in the drug test aside from having confiscated one (1) heat sealed transparent sachet containing Methamphetamine Hydrochloride otherwise known as “SHABU” weighing 1.20 grams, all in all 15 drug paraphernalia in the possession of Sotero. (Jason de Asis)

Army seized 2 high powered firearms in a clash with Ilocos Sur rebels

CERVANTES, Ilocos Sur, September 24, 2011-Soldiers of Charlie Company, 50^th Infantry Batallion under 1^st Lt. Dan Michael Milan and 2^nd lt  Randee Alog seized 1 M16 rifle with magazine and 1 M14 rifle with magazine in the yesterday firefights with rebels at around nine o’clock in the morning in  Barangay Remedios, Cervantes,  Ilocos Sur after it was tipped off by concerned residents here.

Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Chief Major General Jessie D. Dellosa said that Ilocos Sur is one of the provinces scheduled for handover to the PNP and local government unit because of the improved security situation. 

“It happens that in areas declared insurgency-free, the New People’s Army (NPA) simply refused to acknowledge the fact that the populace even the NPA former mass bases do not want this armed conflict (among Filipinos) to continue anymore. The NPAs go out of their way to make their presence felt by regrouping with ragtag elements from other areas in order to show the people that they still have the number,” Dellosa said.

In Ilocos Region, two provinces namely La Union and Pangasinan were already declared insurgency-free.  “It is just a matter of time before Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte will follow suit because the AFP and PNP here joined efforts in addressing all peace and security concerns in the region with the full support of the local governments unit of course”,  Dellosa explained.

As of this report the firefights still ongoing.  “The exact number of casualties on the enemy side cannot be determined yet.  On the government side, Private First Class Jessie Camacho was slightly wounded on his back,” says Delloso. (Jason de Asis)  

Trillanes sought Senate probe P 1.15 Billion DOTC procurement scam

MANILA, September 23, 2011-Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, Chair of the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Government Procurement sought for a Senate probe on the alleged anomalous procurement of P1.15-billion worth of equipment by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) during the time of former Secretary Leandro Mendoza where he filed senate resolution number 609.

Trillanes measure directs the Senate Blue Ribbon panel and the Select Oversight Committee on Government Procurement and other relevant committees of the Senate to conduct a joint investigation into the alleged irregularities in the DOTC’s purchase of oil spill response equipment and lighthouse or aids to navigation (ATON) spare parts intended for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in 2007.

“It is very alarming over allegations that those purchases were attended by numerous irregularities such as blatant violation of Republic Act 9184 – otherwise known as the Government Procurement Act of 2003 – as well as overpricing, falsification of documents, the use of fraudulent bank certifications and a tainted bidding process,” Trillanes said.

The young legislator said that his call for investigation is not only to determine compliance with RA 9184 but also to enact remedial legislation to strengthen said act and other relevant laws of the land.

Trillanes noted the allegations that the agency had used lapsed special allotment release orders (SAROs) for the purchases in the case of the questioned transactions.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued three SAROs amounting to P250 million, P300 million and P400 million, respectively, as funding for the upgrading and repair of various light stations in the country, and to cover the requirements needed for the PCG’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP).

Trillanes said that under the NOSCP, the DOTC invited prospective parties to participate in the bidding of the Aids to Navigation (ATON) spare parts for the repair and maintenance of lighthouses nationwide and the Marine Environmental Protection Equipment (MEPE) and supplies.

Trillanes said that the DOTC proceeded to utilize the intended SAROs despite the fact that their validity had already lapsed in both cases, adding that the DOTC did not even bother to ask the DBM to extend the SAROs before pushing through the procurement process.

“The ATON spare parts were apparently procured even without any request and without the knowledge of the supposed end-user, the PCG.  Because of these, hundreds of millions worth of equipment and spare parts are rotting in the DOTC’s stockroom for over a year now.  Clearly, those responsible for wasting over a billion of the people’s money should be held accountable.  The money could have gone a long way in enhancing the capabilities of the PCG, if said money was spent properly.  This is clearly unforgivable.  If this is true, this is even bigger than the P728 Million fertilizer scam,” Trillanes explained. (Jason de Asis)

Agri fund ghost borrowers discovered by Drilon

MANILA, September 23, 2011-Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee revealed Thursday that several “ghost” borrowers were extended loans by the Department of Agriculture have been granted billions worth of assistance under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) in 2010, a special purpose fund intended to help farmers and cooperatives, saying that the government will no longer be able to collect a total of P2.5 billion worth of loans.

Drilon cited the latest Commission on Audit (COA) report stating that hundreds of companies were extended loans by the Department of Agriculture from 2000 to 2009, a majority of which were done during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but the state auditing agency cannot locate what appeared as “ghost” borrowers.

“Since borrowing does not require collateral and has no interest, I suspected that business ventures were opened just to advance from the multi-billion government credit line, pointing out what appears as collusion between previous DA officials and recipients of the agricultural support fund,” Drilon said, saying that the government is clearly prejudiced in this case because the amount could not be collected anymore since these are clearly ghost borrowers.

The COA report on the agency noted that letters of confirmation were sent to the borrowers but these yielded negative results. Of the 264 confirmation letters sent to the borrowers, 140 did not reply for balances totaling P2.1 billion and 27 with balances of P370 million returned the letters to the COA due to various reasons.

“Beneficiaries that borrowed a total of P66.4 million, meanwhile, failed to pay back their loans due to closure of the companies affected by typhoons and firms that no longer exist. The audit agency said that P1 million in loans may not be collected anymore because of death, insufficient address or unknown identity of the borrower,” Drilon said.

During a budget hearing of the Agriculture department last year, Lyndon Tan, owner of Basic Necessity who is closely identified with former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, has been identified as recipient of the P38 million loan under ACEF. He, however, was only able to pay, at that time, about P2.5 million. Later, Tan, who requested that the DA restructure his loan, was appointed as member of ACEF Executive Committee in 2008, under Yap’s watch.

“We do not want to see a repeat of this again,” Drilon said, adding that he may include the matter in the impending investigation to be conducted by the Senate regarding the alleged irregularities in farm-to-market projects executed during the latter part of the Arroyo administration.

Newspaper reported that P10 billion in ACEF funds has already dissipated, apparently due to the irregularities committed by previous Agriculture officials, politicians and businessmen supposedly favored by the Arroyo administration.

The coverage of the fund was expanded to include micro, small and medium scale agricultural enterprises, aquaculture and fisheries sectors, young entrepreneurs, out-of-school youths, graduates of agriculture-related courses, and agricultural cooperatives, among others.

In 1996 the ACEF was enacted and served as a special purpose fund created by Republic Act 8178 or Agricultural Tariffication Act which comes from all duties of the importation of agricultural products. The program was supposed to fold up in 2007, but in 2008, Congress extended the program’s implementation until 2015. (Jason de Asis)