Coast Guard defends DAP allocations

he Philippine Coast Guard PCG de fended yesterday its receipt of funds fro the controversial isburse ent ccelera tion Progra P hich as declared unconstitutional by the upre e Court.

ore than P billion fro P used to finance operations of the Coast Guard in the est Philippine ea in Pala an and a o de asinloc in a bales as aboveboard, a PCG official said yesterday.

he C ruled certain acts under P unconstitutional, including the declara tion of unobligated and unprogra ed funds as savings, the transfer of savings fro one govern ent branch to another and the funding of pro ects not included in the General ppropriations ct.

PCG spo es an Co ander r and alilo said all P funds allocated to the Coast Guard could be accounted for.

t is being used for its intended pur pose ariti e security, hich is i por tant for the country , he said.

alilo could not e actly give the date hen the funds ere released to their agency but it as around the ti e of Chinese aggression hen ships fro China ere spotted at the est Philippine ea and a o de asinloc, also no n as Panatag or carborough hoal.

hile the PCG has a regular operations budget, alilo said they needed additional funding for ariti e patrol operations. e e plained that hile they a e patrols at these disputed aters, the duration of these issions as short and cost less for the agency.