Part of Pabling’s PDAF going to food program

Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday said that he approved the request of Cebu second district Rep. Wilfredo Caminero to utilize part of the P72.8-million Priority Development Assistance Fund of his predecessor, former congressman Pablo Garcia, for a food security program

“I approved that request,” Davide said adding that he is not sure about the amount.

Caminero’s former colleague in the Provincial Board, PB Member Peter John Calderon, earlier said that approximately P40 million of Garcia’s PDAF is for food security of the second district.

Calderon said it’s not necessary that the amount of P40 million should be released in full.

Also, Davide said he has already signed the memorandum of agreement Wednesday with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 for the transfer of P18 million from Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona’s PDAF from the agency to the Capitol.

The Provincial Legal Office earlier recommended the release of the PDAF of some lawmakers, which are now at the provincial coffers, to the intended beneficiaries.

Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega issued his opinion following the query of Provincial Accountant Marieto Ypil relative to the PDAF which were channeled to the local government from 2010 to 2012.

The query stemmed from the resolution of the Supreme Court restraining the release of the remaining PDAF allocated to members of Congress under the General Appropriations Act of 2013.

Ortega said that it was clear that the subject temporary restraining order covered only the remaining PDAF under the GAA of 2013.

Among the PDAF channeled to the provincial government is the P72.8-million of Garcia who wanted the funds be returned to Congress after he lost to Caminero last May election.

Before the May 2013 elections, Guingona also gave P20 million from his PDAF through DSWD-7 for rice assistance under the agency’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan– Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service program.

Of the amount, however, only P2 million was released to its intended beneficiaries in Danao City.

The Special Allotment Release Order of the P18 million was issued in 2012 and was not covered by the suspension of all PDAF-related projects.