Can the Aquino administration regain public confidence after Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP controversy?

Valenzuela City Congressman Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian thinks so, but only after the government allows the full disclosure of DAP fund allocation and its components, which he said would be a “saving grace” for taxpayers.

In a radio interview, Gatchalian noted that for the current administration to appease the public, it should make all the documents on the reported 116 projects covered by DAP amounting to at least P150 billion available for scrutiny.

“That will be the saving grace sa nangyari. Kung makikita natin kung saan napunta yung pera at kung ito ba ay nagastos ng maigi,” Gatchalian explained.

“Admittedly, iyong DAP may mga proyektong nakakatulong naman. Kung nakagawa ng mabuti at maayos po ‘yung bidding process, malaking bagay ang maitutulong sa taong bayan,” he added.

A member of House Committee on Urban Development, the veteran lawmaker also said the spending of DAP funds itself can be beneficial to the public if used properly, citing a flood-control project of the Valenzuela City local government amounting to almost P1.2 million.

“Meron kaming pondo sa mga binabaha ngayon nabalitaan namin na ‘yung pondo ay sa DAP. Maraming construct at tag-ulan na so iniisip ko kung ibabalik yung DAP at ihihinto yung construction, babahain ho kami,” he said.

He elaborated that the local government of Valenzuela City is planning to use remaining DAP funds in housing programs to relocate around 3,000 informal settlers living near waterways.

The lawmaker added that Valenzuela City local government also plans to channel DAP funds to drainage and sewage system programs in Valenzuela City to prevent flood and disasters.

“Hindi pa naco-consumate yung funds pero nakapila na kami sa kukuha ng pondo. Kaya nga malaking usapin ito dahil paano na ‘yung mga tatlong libong pamilya na nakatira doon sa tabing-ilong at ‘yung isyu ng baha,” he said. (Tim Alcantara)