BBy Billy Begas
House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza on Monday said that the P1.2 billion budget allocated for the NCR Fiber Optic Backbone Development and Network Resiliency project has been returned to the national treasury.
Daza said the fund was originally placed under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). However, it was later transferred to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“I’m happy to note that said funds had already been transferred to the Bureau of the Treasury last month. Clearly, the two House committees and their Chairpersons Florida “Rida” Robes and Tobias “Toby” Tiangco had done an excellent job. The people’s will has won,” Daza said.
Daza was referring to the joint hearing conducted by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability headed by Robes and the House Committee on Information and Communication Technology led by Tiangco.
During the December 6 hearing, lawmakers learned that the DICT’s internal counsel strongly advised against the transfer, citing the principle of ultra vires, meaning that such an endeavor is “beyond the scope and power” of the agency.
Daza also thanked former MMDA chairperson, now DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. helping return the funds.
“Secretary Abalos’ efforts in reaching out to MMDA, I believe, contributed to the positive outcome,” Daza added.
Daza expressed his hope that the practice of interagency transfers will be deeply scrutinized by the House of Representatives and the Department of Budget and Management.
“I am aware that it is being done every now and then. However, there should be clearer guidelines and accountability,” the solon added.
On November 4, 2022, the City of Baguio, under orders from Mayor Benjamin Magalong, also returned P692 million worth of funds to the DICT due to a mutual agreement to terminate the Digital Transformation Center project.
Daza also called on DICT to ensure that critical programs such as the free Wi-Fi and national broadband will be fast-tracked, given the problematic roll-out in the past aggravated by delays caused by the pandemic.
The solon noted that some P2.5 billion was allocated for the free Wi-Fi program this year.
