PNP got more than P3-B from DAP

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) received more than P3 billion through the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP ) on top of the P72.8 billion it received from the 2013 national budget.

Based on documents from the Department of Budget and Management, the PNP was one of the recipients of DAP which was declared unconstitutional in a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court.

The program is a stimulus package, which Malacañang said was designed to fast-track public spending and push economic growth.

The documents showed that PNP has seven items under the allocation, including P45 million through the Department of Public Works and Highways for the construction of the PNP Maritime Group Training Facility in Mabini, Batangas “to enhance the rescue capabilities of the police force.”

Under Item No. 50 of the documents, a total of P8.722 million was also earmarked for the construction of the PNP Crisis Action Force Building in Camp Crame “to address various crisis situations.”

One big-ticket allocation is Item No. 57 at P115.556 million for the implementation of the "P1,000 per capita/personnel for every police station pursuant to Special Provision No. 8 of Fiscal Year 2011 GAA RA 10147.”

On Item 81, P100 million was set aside “to support the requirements of the DILG transfer to the newly built 30-storey Napolcom building in Quezon Avenue.”

Two other big-ticket items were the construction of 20 new police stations with a total cost of P128.210 million and the construction and hiring of non-uniformed personnel at P860.705 million as indicated on Items 82 and 110, respectively. Both allocations were noted as "first tranche."

An additional "first tranche" budget of P2 billion was earmarked for the PNP modernization program.

tHE DAP covers high-impact budgetary programs and projects that will be augmented out of the savings generated during the year and additional revenue sources.

The DAP was approved by the President on October 12, 2011, upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) and the Cabinet Clusters.