Cayetano says COA’s blacklisting of NGO should prompt government, lawmakers to take strong action vs. erring contractors

By Office of Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano
June 3, 2013

PASAY CITY – Senator Alan S. Cayetano today urged the government and fellow lawmakers to be vigilant and take strong action against fake non-government organizations (NGOs) and contractors which avail of government infrastructure funding, including lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Cayetano made the statement following the Commission on Audit (COA)’s blacklisting of Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc., which the agency found to have submitted fabricated documents and forged signatures to liquidate P161.914 million in PDAF allocations it received in 2009 and 2010.

"PDAF funds projects can help communities create jobs and build for the future. These funds should never be allowed to enrich unscrupulous organizations and individuals.” Cayetano said. He added that “We need to send a strong message that PDAF funds are a tool to help poor families all over the country.”

“It is the poor who suffer for every ghost government project, substandard bridges and roads, and other anomalous contracts entered into by such erring contractors.”

Cayetano was re-elected in the May elections on a platform of PTK (Presyo, Trabaho, Kita). He said that “Filipino families suffer daily from high prices of goods, lack of available jobs and low wages and we cannot stand idly while the funds that are supposed to be for them are stolen by these groups and individuals.”

The senator also encouraged lawmakers to file cases against erring contractors and to blacklist them in order to avoid further incidents of corruption. He added that by blacklisting these fake contractors and NGO's, fellow lawmakers can create informed decisions before releasing their PDAF.

“Through this, we can help assure the people that their money is going to worthwhile institutions aimed at creating jobs and improving our communities,” he said.

Furthermore, Cayetano called on the Commission on Audit (COA) to ensure an NGO’s capacity to fully utilize the PDAF by conducting a strict and thorough internal audit of their track record and capabilities.