Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Gov't to study DA programs after issues surface (6:55 p.m.)
PRESIDENTIAL Management Staff (PMS) director general Cerge Remonde said his office is now evaluating the different programs under the Department of Agriculture (DA) following controversies and alleged irregularities hounding the department.
Remonde said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is very concerned and ordered the investigations to get to the bottom of the allegations.
He said the PMS and the DA are jointly evaluating the programs and a technical working group composed of members of the PMS, the Pro-Performance System, which Remonde also heads, and the DA has already been formed.
"What we are saying is that the President is also very concerned about these reports, and that the President is initiating its own internal investigation into this. In fairness the DA is snall, and it is not only the DA that is under investigation by the PMS, DAR is also under investigation," he said.
He said evaluation on the performance of agencies involved in infrastructure rehabilitation and construction is also on going covering the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and National Irrigation Authority (NIA).
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita defended the DA against these controversies believing that because the government prioritizes the food production program and eventually pours in a lot of funds to projects under it, some sectors may be taking advantage of it. (JMR/Sunnex) |
