ARMM warns DAP suspension to waste infra projects

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - About half-a-billion peso worth of projects, which include 100 barangay health stations, are affected by the decision of the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional certain acts under the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Other projects also affected by the SC ruling on DA are those under the rehabilitation and development of the ARMM.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the legality issue on the DAP had to be clarified otherwise these projects that are being implemented would go to waste once they are suspended.

Hataman said the ARMM government has no financial capability to pursue the project on its own.

“However, we will take the risk rather than leave the millions of projects wasted,” Hataman said.

“I have thought about it  [and I think] that we have to complete the projects rather than leave them unattended and wasted because it’s not only the government but all of us will be at a loss here,” he added.

He said they could request the national government to continue the project after President Benigno Aquino III promised to request for a supplemental budget from the congress to ensure all the projects would be completed.

Hataman said he will discuss measures to pursue the completion of the project with his cabinet members after the celebration of the Eid'l Fit'r.

Hataman said the ARMM has benefitted most from the DAP and the funds were used for development projects.

Hataman said that among the ARMM projects  funded by the DAP are road projects in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sumisip, Lamitan, Tipo-Tipo, Sulu, Lanao, Marawi City, and Malabang.

“This is really a big help and President Aquino is the best president for the ARMM,” Hataman said.