Ombuds to probe GMA program implementation

CEBU - The office of the Ombudsman Visayas has docketed for fact-finding investigation the newspaper reports of alleged anomalies in the implementation of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program of the Department of Agriculture in Central and Eastern Visayas.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol yesterday ordered the opening of a fact-finding investigation based on the report of the Commission on Audit that uncovered alleged anomalies in the distribution of fertilizers, seeds and other farm inputs to farmer beneficiaries in at least four regions, including the two regions in the Visayas.

Apostol said the Visayas sectoral office of the anti-graft body will conduct a parallel investigation into the reported anomaly. He asked the people, especially those who have knowledge of the project, to come out and provide them information to expedite the investigation.

Likewise, Apostol said he will also ask for a copy of the COA report, which will be used as a “springboard” in their investigation on top of the newspaper clippings. According to him, the Ombudsman can conduct investigation on reported anomalies based on newspaper reports and even act on anonymous complaint.

The COA report revealed that the GMA program implemented by DA in at least four regions was saddled with anomalies as it found out that signatures of several farmer beneficiaries were forged and interviews on some of the listed beneficiaries disclosed that they did not receive anything.

Cebu was among the recipient provinces in Central Visayas but only seven local government units in the province have actually benefited.

These are the cities of Carcar and Toledo and the towns of Sibonga, Argao, Pinamungajan, Asturias and Balamban.

Provincial board member Wilfredo Caminero, who was then the mayor of Argao, admitted that the project implementation was prone to abuse citing the lack of system in the implementation. There was even no memorandum of agreement signed by them, he added.

Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay also said farmer beneficiaries from his town complained because the seeds given to them did not germinate and sprout that made the farmers believe that the seeds were substandard.

On the other hand, Apostol also ordered a fact-finding investigation into the possible anomaly in the disbursement of the P15-million financial assistance from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Cebu City South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco to barangay Guadalupe.

The docketing of a fact-finding investigation was also based on newspaper reports where Cuenco urged Guadalupe barangay captain Eugenio Faelnar to account the fund.

The money was reportedly intended for the goat dispersal project of the barangay but until now no goat has been delivered.

Faelnar in an earlier interview said that part of the money has already been used up in tree planting activity while a goat house amounting to P750,000 has already been built.

A picture of the goat house however shows that it is only a makeshift structure prompting the anti-graft body to decide to look into the matter. —Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)