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THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Wednesday clarified that
it used P1billion to pay foreign consultants to start major
infrastructure and electrification projects in 500 agrarian reform
communities in the country.
In a statement, the department explained that
the infrastructure and electrification projects in 500 agrarian
reform communities all over the country are needed to boost
farmers’ productivity and incomes.
The department issued the statement in response
to the query of Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra on how the P1 billion was
spent.
Mitra quoted reports of the Commission on Audit
submitted to the House, showing the department spent about P1
billion for “consultancy services.”
The department explained the amount was used to
pay consultancy services in 2005 and 2006 for six loan-assisted
projects amounting to P16.8 billion.
About P503 million of the said amount consisted
of consultancy fees for the construction of electrification and
power structures in remote and off-grid farming communities, through
the use of photovoltaic energy systems.
-- Ira Karen Apanay
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