Pia: Itemize P14B for farm modernization

SEN. Pia Cayetano yesterday sought itemization of some P14 billion in lump sum appropriations in the budget of the Department of Agriculture intended for the Agricultural and Fisheries and Modernization program (AFMA).

Citing figures from the non-government Alternative Budget Initiative, Cayetano said the lump sums are P10.039 billion for the DA-OSEC "GMA (Ginintuang Masaganang Ani) Rice" program, P1.49 billion for the DA-OSEC "GMA Corn" program, P2.72 billion for the DA-OSEC "GMA High Value Crops" program, and P944 million for the "GMA Livestock" program.

Cayetano said there is also a P5 billion conditional cash transfer to the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

She said the absence of provisions specifying the mechanics for use of the funds could turn these into "pork barrel," subject to the administration’s wide discretion.

Cayetano said the release of the funds should be tied at least to conditions related to the attainment of basic health and education targets, such as the country’s commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.

She said public vigilance could play a crucial role in monitoring how the Arroyo administration will be spending billions of its discretionary funds under the proposed national budget for 2009.

Cayetano was one of two senators (the other was Aquilino Pimentel Jr.) who voted against the P1.415-trillion general appropriations bill for 2009. She objected to the inclusion of huge lump sum funds which she said would be left to the "high discretion and control of the President."

The budget bill is still under consideration by the bicameral conference committee but is expected to be ratified next month when Congress resumes session.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the budget could be passed within two or three weeks next month.

He said operating on a re-enacted budget would pose no problems because it has been done in the past. – Dennis Gadil and Jocelyn Montemayor