Press Release
November 23, 2013

Villar: PDAF allocated to Las Piñas led to P300 million annual savings, world-renowned projects

Sen. Cynthia A. Villar yesterday refuted allegation that the pork barrel funds she allocated to Las Piñas City was misused and led to wastage and instead, stressed the funds resulted to millions of savings and award-winning projects.

Villar, who served as congresswoman of Las Pinas from 2001 to 2010 prior to her election as senator, said she has dedicated her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation to programs and projects in her district geared towards improving the living conditions of her constituents, particularly the less privileged.

"With this as guidepost, I have likewise made sure that the identification of PDAF projects was done strictly in accordance with the menu and guidelines dictated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)," guaranteed Villar.

She said the waste-processing system funded through her PDAF realized a P300 million annual savings in the city's resources in garbage disposal.

On top of that, she added, it created livelihood opportunities for hundreds of marginalized constituents.

"I wish to inform that several projects funded out of my congressional PDAF have been dedicated to the rehabilitation of our rivers and waterways preventing massive flooding that saved lives and properties," noted Villar..

In 2011, the Las Piñas-Zapote River Rehabilitation Program bagged the "Best Water Management Practice Award" at the United Nations Water Life Event in Zaragoza, Spain, winning over 38 countries.

Villar also related that as early as August 28, 2012, Las Pinas City has answered the issues raised in the COA report on the alleged PDAF misuse.

She said that until now, the city government has not yet received any notice of suspension of the funds in question.

Villar also pointed out there was a clear and manifest error in the published report of COA, particularly on pages 410 and 412, wherein it cited two different figures for unsubmitted disbursement vouchers made to various entities and individuals.

"It was printed correctly as P96,866.00 on Page 410. But on the table of unsubmitted disbursement vouchers on Page 412, it was printed as P96 million. The wrong amount of P96 million was the one picked up and reported by a newspaper," said Villar.

"The 3-year annual savings in garbage disposal during the audit period is four times as much as what we put in considering that much of it still went to medical services, education and calamity assistance. And based on cost-benefit analysis, it truly reflects that indeed there was no wastage or loss in the utilization of funds in Las Piñas City," she further said.

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