De Lima urges probe of DILG’s Masa Masid program

Senator Leila de Lima has called for a deeper look into the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) P500-million community-based anti-corruption and anti-drug program, saying it has submitted "zero accomplishment reports."

Under Senate Resolution 807, de Lima urged the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an investigation into the Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga (Masa Masid) project.

The DILG launched Masa Masid in 2016 as a community-based program that addresses corruption, illegal drugs, criminality, and threats to peace and order at the barangay level.

However, the Commission on Audit (COA) reported, several of its projects were not implemented, causing the funds to be realigned.

Out of the more than P500 million, the DILG allotted P380.232 million to regional offices while the central office utilized P109.223 million for training expenses.

"Based on the foregoing, the non-implementation of programmed activities and non-utilization of program funds were indicative that management had not prepared a concrete plan for MASA MASID which resulted in the non-attainment of the program's objective," COA said.

In an emailed statement released on Sunday, De Lima said that the disbursement of funds should be transparent.

"Transparency is the cornerstone of good governance and public offices have due responsibility to submit annual reports on their agency's operations not only for compliance with their performance incentive requirements but more requirements but more importantly to show that the people's budget was judiciously and effectively utilized," she added. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News