DA execs belie Bolante claims on fertilizer plan

MANILA, Philippines - Regional field unit directors of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it was under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program that the agency allocated for the first time a huge amount of funds for a farm inputs and farm implements program. Contrary to former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante's earlier testimony, DA Region 11 Director Roger Chio said the P728-million undertaking was not a regular program of the DA. In fact, the program's implementation started only in 2004. “It was not a regular program," Chio said in response to questions fielded by Sen. Francis Escudero during the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing into the P728-million fertilizer fund mess. “Yes, your honor," Chio said when asked whether it is the first time that such a huge amount was allocated for the DA’s farm inputs and farm implements program. For his part, Agriculture regional executive director for Eastern Visayas Leo Cañeda also said that the multi-million program was the only time that the DA undertook a project of such magnitude. "This is the first time ever we have undertaken this kind of project in the region. Not before, not after," Cañeda. When asked by Escudero to describe the regularity of the program, Cañeda said: "For me, it's extraordinary." At the hearing, Chio also presented a copy of a memorandum order he received from Bolante, which Escudero said belied Bolante's claims that he was "hands-off" in terms of the procurement of the fertilizers which were supposed to be distributed to farmers. The memorandum order pertains to a purchase request dated March 30, 2004 for P3 million, for 2,000 units of fertilizer. Bolante signed the request by authority of the Agriculture secretary. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV