Disbursement Acceleration Program
The Disbursement Acceleration Program in the Philippines is a "special" budget allocated to accelerate or hasten a government project without Congress or Senate's approval. This replaces the traditional pork barrel, the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), after the Pork barrel scam was uncovered in 2013.
History
During President Benigno Aquino III's term,he instituted budget reforms,as opposed of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's style of spending funds. Due to the reforms,he reduced funds in some,added a little in some,and the rest is reserved for emergencies like disasters and crisis management and foreign debts and deficits.The consequence is a lot of funds unspent,slower fund release and sometimes,underspent funds was returned to the National Treasury.In order to solve the problem,the President,along with his DBM secretary and fellow Liberal party member Florencio Abad,instituted a program that accelerates fund spending in all public works and agencies badly needing funds.
Issues
DAP was rumoured to be used by Aquino and Abad to bribe senators and congressmen to impeach and oust Renato Corona. According to some senators and representatives,the DAP was used to buy their vote. Both Malacañang and Abad denied the accusations and defended their actions as "in good faith".
Discontinuation
The Supreme Court ruled that DAP, along with Pork Barrel, are unconstitutional and must be discontinued. [1]
References
- ↑ Hofileña, Chay (July 14, 2014). "Understanding the SC ruling on the DAP". Rappler. Retrieved 23 November 2015.