PNoy assures PNP modernization despite DAP ruling

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III assured the police force on Friday that the modernization program of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue  despite the Supreme Court decision  striking down  the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

In his speech during the 113th police service anniversary, Aquino said the government is planning to acquire police equipment such as radio and patrol vehicles.

"Huwag kayong mag-alala na 'di matutupad ang ating plano para sa 'shoot, scoot, and communicate,' dahil sa naging desisyon sa DAP. Patuloy tayong gumagawa ng hakbang para masigurong tuloy-tuloy ang inyong modernisasyon," Aquino said in his speech at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Introduced by the Aquino administration in 2011 to pump-prime the economy, the DAP pooled government savings from several projects and realigned the funds to other programs.

Based on the data of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), there were several DAP projects for the PNP, including the following:

• establishment of 21 police stations and procurement of 23 police vehicles in the ARMM
• PNP crime laboratory
• PNP Maritime Group Training Facility
• construction of the PNP Crisis Action Force Building
• additional funds for the maintenance and other operating expenses of PNP regional offices and stations
• construction of 20 police stations
• repair and maintenance and police supplies
• mission essential equipment and capability enhancement program

Last month, the Supreme Court declared some acts under the DAP as unconstitutional, including the withdrawal of standby and unobligated funds and declaring them as savings before the end of a fiscal year.

Maintaining that the DAP was legal and beneficial to the public, the Aquino administration submitted a motion for reconsideration on the high court ruling.