DA execs face probe over farm equipment

MANILA, Philippines – Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has ordered an investigation of officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in South Cotabato for failing to distribute around P100 million worth of equipment to farmer groups.

“I will ask lawyers of the department to study this case and determine the administrative and criminal liability of the officials behind the procurement and non-distribution of these equipment,” Piñol said yesterday.

“I believe that by keeping the equipment...unused for a long period of time, the government was defrauded of ...money,” Pinol said.

He said he saw the equipment in the DA compound during his visit to Tupi, South Cotabato on Monday.

Piñol said some of the equipment was bought four years ago while the more expensive items, including rice and corn harvesters as well as tractors  were bought last year.

Carlene Collado, DA regional officer-in-charge, said they were not able to distribute the equipment because farmer groups were not able to provide a 15 percent cash equity.

Farmer groups were supposed to shoulder 15 percent of the cost of the equipment under the guidelines issued by former DA secretary Proceso Alcala.

Piñol ordered the rehabilitation of the equipment and its distribution to local government units and farmer groups.