Problems in infrasru

Friday, March 22, 2013

LAND Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is targeting P42-billion loan release for small farmers and fisher folks in the country in 2013, higher than P39.9 billion assistance to the sector last year. LBP president and chief executive officer Gilda Pico said the program is expected to benefit 300,000 borrowers in the agriculture and fishing sector. The strategy is to get more conduits to reach out those in the priority sector. We are tapping more cooperatives, rural banks and irrigators association. Loans for agri-related activities grow at an average of 10 percent every year, Pico told Leyte Samar Daily Express at the sidelines of LBP-Tacloban building inauguration. LBP recorded a P205.3 billion loan for priority sectors in 2012, which accounts 75 percent of the banks gross loans portfolio of P273.8 billion. We only expect 70 percent share of loan from the priority sector but were able to achieve 75 percent, she added. Aside from small farmers and fisher folks, also listed as priority sectors associations; agri-business, aqua-business, and agri-aqua related projects of local government units and government corporations; micro, small and medium enterprises, communications, transportation, housing, education, health care, environment-related projects, including clean renewable energy, and tourism. LBP is eyeing a P10.5 billion net income in 2013, four percent higher than last years P10.1 billion profit, banking on susta ined growth in deposits and assets. Pico said they are very optimistic to gain higher net income as they increase their deposit and loan portfolio, and maintain its position as the fourth largest bank in the country. We are on target on the first two months of 2013, well-positioned for continued growth taking off from our solid performance in 2012. Our primary focus this year is to continuously grow revenue and manage expenditures in order for us step up our support to priority sectors, Pico told LSDE. LBP expects to raise its total assets by 2.67 percent from P681.8 billion last year to P700 billion this year. The bank also targets to expand its deposits to P550 billion in 2013 from P543.8 billion as of end of 2012. The bank is targeting to open eight new branches this year to serve its growing clientele. To date, LBP has 213 branches in Luzon, 53 in Visayas, and 68 in Mindanao. The bank has set up 1,082 automated teller machines nationwide. Land Bank, which will mark its 50th year on August has more than five million depositors nationwide. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)

Posted on December 20, 2012 by piudbm in News President Benigno S. Aquino III approved the release of P1.28 billion for the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), an inter-agency effort among the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Statistics Office (NSO), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

The RSBSA is a nationwide database of baseline information of farmers, farm laborers and fisher folk from identified provinces, as well as geographical coordinates of agricultural and fishery workers households. These data will be used as basis for developing programs and policies for the agriculture and fishery sectors.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said that the project will address the urgent need for a comprehensive and systematic information system that will help the government identify and locate farmers, farm laborers, and fishermen that are target beneficiaries of agriculture-related programs and services.

For the first time in our history, the rural poorincluding small owner-cultivators, land holders, tenants, and regular and seasonal farm workerswill have their names and addresses duly registered in a comprehensive database. This will end years of anomalies, where farm subsidies and agricultural programs like rice procurement and the provision of cheap rice only end up with traders and affluent farmers, Abad said.

He also noted the impact of the RSBSA on the Administrations ability to shape programs and policies relevant to agriculture and fisheries development.

This database will be a valuable part of the Administrations planning an d policy-making strategy for our agri-fisheries sector, allowing us to accurately determine the number of farmers and fishermen who will benefit from government subsidies and aid.

The RSBSA also serves as an excellent auditing mechanism by ensuring that only the poorest will benefit from our agricultural programs, thus reinforcing President Aquinos campaign for transparency and accountability in the delivery of critical goods and services, Abad noted.

The NSO conducted the surveys and began the first phase of the project with 20 pilot provinces, namely, Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Romblon, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Siquijor, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Zamboanga del NOrte, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. These provinces were chosen based on their poverty incidence, engagement in agricultural work, and vulnerability to calamities.

Under the first phase of the project, the NSO registered a total of 2,116,313 farmers, farm laborers and fisher folk in targeted provinces. Meanwhile, the second phase of the project will cover 55 more

provinces to complete the list of households and the registration of farmers, farm laborers, and fisher folk.

Abad also emphasized the urgency of completing the RSBSA, especially in light of the remittance of the proceeds of sale of coco levy funds to the government.

The proceeds from the sale of coco levy funds are supposed to uplift the lives of small farmers, most of whom have lived for years in poverty. Prior to this, however, we had no real data to guide planners on who the farmers are, where they live, and what their standard of living is. With the RSBSA in place, however, the information we now have will facilitate the judicious use of these funds, so that the coconut farmers themselves will benefit directly from the proceeds, Abad said. (Visited 415 times, 1 visits today)

K-AGRINET Project Management Team

Posted January 2, 2007 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Partners

The K-AGRINET management team from DAP, PCARRD, PhilRice, and DAR in their last meeting for December 18, 2006 held at the DAP, Ortigas Center. In the background in the Pinoy Farmers Mobile Internet Bus (MIB) a mobile internet training facility to bring internet in agricultural extension workers and farmers in the remote areas of Luzon.
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Pinoy Farmers Mobile Internet Bus (MIB)

Posted January 2, 2007 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Advocacy

This custom built mobile internet training facility is operated by the Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OPAPA), a component project of the K-AGRINET project. It is an old 1991 Mitsubishi Rosa microbus, converted into a mobile internet training center complete with 10 notebook computers with WeRoam internet, LCD projection system, surround-sound audio speaker system with amplifier and VCD player, TV, and a split-type airconditioning system. During training, the bus draws electrical power from buildings using an extended cable. A generator will power the bus in areas where there is no electricity. When mobile, the bus has its own uses its regular airconditioning system powered by the engine. The bus can train 10 persons at a time. Here in photo is the MIB during its first test run in Manila December 18, 2006.
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Open Academy Project Managers Meet

Posted January 2, 2007 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Partners

Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture area managers meet at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City last December 19, 2006 during the final Advisory Council meeting for the year. L-R Dr. Virgilio Gonzales of PAC, Dr. Danilo Pacoy of USEP, Mr. Virgilio Oliva of USM, Jr., Roger Barroga, program director, Dr. Orlando Balderama of ISU, Dr. Sosimo Battad, president PAC; Mr. Asterio P. Saliot, ATI Director; Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, PhilRice executive Director; Dr. Pastora Coloma of CLSU, Dr. Jimmy Quilang of PhilRice-KMP, and Mr. Julian Lapitan of IRRI.
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Posted January 2, 2007 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Uncategorized

ICRISAT Director General Dr. William Dar (in pink shirt and jacket) got onboard the Pinoy MIB to see firsthand the first mobile internet training facility for agricultural extension workers. He was here to attend the final meeting for 2006 of the Advisory Council last December 19, 2006. The Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture project is the brainchild of Dr. Dar in 2003, together with Dr. Rex Navarro, Dr. Santiago R. Obien, Dr. Sosimo Battad, Dr. William Medrano, and Dr. Leocadio Sebastian.
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School on Air Graduates 162 Farmers in Pampanga Site

Posted August 28, 2006 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Content Development

Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) Extension Director Dr. Virgilio Gonzales reported their successful completion of 3rd School On the Air program last May 15, 2006 graduating 162 farmers from the various towns of Pampanga. Dubbed GMA SOA Go Modern Agriculture School On the Air, it carried two major crop subjects hybrid rice and hybrid corn. This was funded jointly by Open Academy and the DA-Agricultural Training Institute in collaboration with LGUs of Magalang, Mabalacat, Mexico, Arayat, and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. The recently concluded school on the air program on hybrid rice aired over PAC community radio station DWEE 101.7 FM started on December 2, 2005 till the end of February 2006. Its time slot was every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 in the morning till 12 noon, plus a supplementary program title

Magtanong kay Doc, started from 6 to 7 in the morning.Meantime, the broadcast on hybrid corn production started on January 27, 2006, with time slots every Wednesday and Friday from 11 in the morning till12 noon. Mr. Romel Basa from PAC hosted this GMA School on the Air program for Pampanga farmers. This event was graced by Magalang Mayor Pastor Z. Guiao; Mr. Edilberto Salenga from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA); PhilRice Executive Director Leocadio S. Sebastian; Open Academy Program Director Roger F. Barroga, PAC VP for RET, Dr. Leopoldo F. Reyes,Agricultural Training Institute director Asterio Saliot, with Dir. Renato A. Maguigad of ATI Bataan and Mr. Roberto T. Masbang, ATI Division Chief. This SOA also integrates Internet Technology and SMS. Inside the broadcasters booth is a computer connected to the Internet, and a celfone to receive farmers query. Aside from providing learning content, this activity tests and documents the impact of the interactivity of farmers and experts made available by the internet and sms technology. With numerous farmers now texting their questions, Open Academy Program Director Roger F. Barroga ordered the deployment of a Farmers Texting INFOTEXT software that comes equipped with its own GSM Modem/SIM holder. From here, the operator can use the PC to receive and send text messages, register all users in a database, broadcast farming tips, and route questions to experts in PAC, and capture questions and answers for content analysis.
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Pilot Sites Support ICT Initiatives of LGUs

Posted August 28, 2006 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Advocacy

Isabela Site has new Team Leader Dr. Orlando Balderama is the new Team Leader or area manager of the Isabela Site. He is the Research Director of the Isabela State University based in Echague, Isabela. He is currently working out the connectivity of a farmers coop and LGU of San Mateo, Isabela into the ISU pilot site in order to create their own Cyber Community where ICT applications will be tested.

PhilRice-Los Banos Trains CALABARZON extension workers

DA-Region IV has tapped PhilRice Los Banos to provide Rice S&T updates for to its Extension Workers in the CALABARZON area this whole of August 2006. Techno Promo leader Mr. Diego Ramos has included an ICT component in the updates which is an introduction to the concept and operations of the Open Academy for Philippine Agricluture. Mel Olvida, who is one of the organizers of the Bicol ICT Caravan, is now handling the introduction of the Open Academy to the participants. She works with a notebook computer equipped with Weroam internet enabling her to demonstrate the OPAPA website, information search thru the internet, and text/sms services. USM Cotabato Site has new Radio Antenna Transmitter Team Leader Mr. Jun Oliva Jr. reported they have completed construction of a 130 ft tower transmitter for the schools 5kilowatt FM radio station. This facility will be used as community radio and will serve as laboratory for its communication students. The OPAPA is exploring its possible use for a SOA + SMS program within the Kabacan area. USEP conducts ICT training for Magsaysay Coop Members in Davao del Sur Team Leader Dr. Danilo Pacoy, who is also Director for Extension at the USEP, reported that they have recently trained cooperative members who are linked to the Magsaysay Cyber Town. The training includes basic operations of the PC, productivity tools such as word processing, presentation and spreadsheet; and internet surfing. Ilocos Site conducts ICT training for Extension Workers PhilRice Branch station, led by Dr. Rey Castro, reported their recent orientation training on ICT for Palayamanan extension workers in Batac, Ilocos Norte last June. The Palayamanan project of PhilRice showcases rice and rice based farm technologies integrated in a village level operation. Alma Aguinaldo, project in charge, said that ICT tools are now introduced in these areas such as texting and sms service, email and internet in order to provide immediate feedback and information in the areas. Agusan Site Conducts Follow up Training for DA-Caraga staff Branch Manager Dr. Cesar Tado reported that the local DA CARAGA chief spearheaded a follow up training on ICT for its staff and extension workers after the successful conduct of the ICT Caravan in the area. PhilRice Agusan was tapped to conduct the ICT training. Meg Carangcarang and Dodong Varquez formed the training team that introduced important ICT concepts, basic computer operations, the OPAPA website, the farmers text services to the participants. The training was held last June 2006.

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DavSur Connects Remote Town

Posted July 7, 2006 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Last Mile Connectivity

After the successful launching of the connectivity of the Magsaysay Farmers MPCI in December 2005, Mayor Arthur Davin asked, how can we provide Internet for this whole town we do not even have landline? The coop used the latest in wireless internet technology the PLDT WeRoam technology which connects one PC to the Internet. Jun Oliva, head of the ICTC of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), and Open Academy Network Expert proposed a cluster network design with a wireless link to the Digos City 23km away where the telepone lines and DSL are available. Inspired by this, Mayor Davin requested Internet connection to the municipal office, including other coops and schools. The USM drew up plans for the wireless interconnection of the town. The plan involves the linkup of the PAO office in Digos where internet facilities are available and the Municipal Office of Magsaysay, which will be the central access point for the farmers coops and schools. This Cybertown project is led by the local government of Magsaysay, with strong from PhilRice, and USM, through the Open Academy project. The infra was funded by the LGU, the Open Academy provided an E1 (2mpbs) Internet link for one year, and the USM installed the wireless infrastructure and is providing technical support. With this link, we hope to make this town the test bed of all rural -based ICT initiatives in the next 2 years, providing solutions to farmers problems from production, to marketing, from education and

simply communication with their relatives abroad. We will be documenting success stories of how farmers will use technology, how the local government and farmers groups will work together in a networked environment. The project will also integrate all ICT-based initiatives in the area in order to establish a coordinated approach and sharing of resources. And finally, we hope to encourage other local government units to take this initiative in providing connectivity to their constituent, said OPAPA Program Director Roger F. Barroga.
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Life on the Roadshow

Posted July 7, 2006 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Advocacy

A crew of about 20 to 25 from different agencies move early to the province, and participate in a motorcade towards the briefing site where more than a 100 participants await. A simple program will introduce the guests, and the objectives of the roadshow. Representatives from the four project components each take turns to explain their services. This will be followed by hands-on basic computer training inside the bus for 20 persons at a time, moving on to Internet surfing to visit the websites of KAgrinet, Open Academy, and PCARRD. The rest of the crowd stays in the main hall to get technology from PhilRice, DOST, USM, USEP, ATI, DA, and IRRI. At the end of the day, the crew travel to the next site. For the Ilocos and CARAGA legs, PhilRice coordinated the event through its Branch offices in Ilocos, Isabela, and Agusan. For the Davao Leg, the USM coordinated the event, in tandem with the USEP and PhilRice Midsayap, Cotabato. PCARRD coordinated the Bicol leg, through its partner consortia, the Bicol University, and and PhilRice Los Banos. DAP took care of the fuel cost of the bus in CARAGA.
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Gears, Wires, and Gadgets

Posted July 7, 2006 by pinoyfarmer Categories: Advocacy

The Open Academy brought along 10 notebook PCs since most of the computers in the mobile IT bus are no longer operational or very slow. Ten brand new ACER Centrino notebook pcs were used. For Internet even in remote places, we used PLDTs Weroam Aircard its a mobile wireless internet card that connects to any SMART celsite. (nope, it wasnt free, we bought the cards and the link) As backup, we brought along a XPC server containing the websites of K-Agrinet, PCARRD and Open Academy, as well as IRRIs Rice Knowledge Bank. The server was configured with Weroam and Linksys Access Point. The Weroam went offline twice in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. But for most parts of the country, it worked well but at varying speeds. At the end of each day, the crew would pack up all the gears inside the bus and endless array of wires, cords, mice; the crew on the ground likewise pack up all the extension wires, and their assorted carry on notebooks -from IBM ThinkPad, Dell, Compaq, Fujitsu. Topping this is celfones of different brands and makes, digital cameras, video camcorders, VHF radios, inverters, LCD projectors, speakers, amplifiers, extension cords, rechargeable flashlights, cooking gear; logitech webcam, and Garmin V gps. And yes, pull down and roll up all those tarps banners, streamers, flyers. We saw Globes Visibility wireless Internet card in action for the first time in Bicol. At night, the crew check their gears, recharge their batteries, make them ready for another days battle, in the sweltering 34 degrees heat of Ilocos and Davao, and the torrential rains of Bicol and Caraga.
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LOANS FOR COOPERATIVES (Coops)

Schedule of Availability of Service: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 p.m.

without noon break 1.0 Eligible Borrowers

1.1 Agricultural Cooperatives, composed of majority of small farmers and fisherfolk and small hog/poultry/livestock raisers;

1.2 Non-Farmers or Credit Cooperatives, composed of market vendors, employees, teachers, rural workers, etc.;

1.3 Institutional/Employees' Cooperatives and Associations, composed of regular/ permanent employees of the agency 2.0 Basic Accreditation Criteria for Availing Cooperatives

In order for a coop to avail of the LBP credit facilities, it has to meet the minimum accreditation requirements of the Bank which are as follows:

Particulars a. Maturity Level * b. Membership c. Paid-up Capital/ Surplus d. Core Mgt. Team (Manager, Bookkeeper & Treasurer) e. Profitability f. Debt-Equity Ratio g. Liquidity Ratio h. Past Due Ratio i. Risk Asset Ratio

Newly-Accessing Coops A, B, C & D At least 60 At least P30,000

Existing Bank Assisted Coops (Agricultural Coops) A, B, C & D At least 100 Ave. of P500/ member

Credit Coops A, B, C & D At least 300 At least P300,000 Complete, part time/full time Profitable 6:1 1:1 Not more than 15% Not less than 10%

Institutional/ Employees' Coops and Associations A, B, C & D At least 50 At least P30,000

Complete, part time/full time Break-even Level 6:1 1:1 Not more than 25%

Complete, part time/full time Profitable 6:1 1:1 Not more than 25%

Complete, part time/full time Profitable 1:1 Not more than 15% Not less than 10%

* Classification of coops based on their level of maturity using the Bank's established coop accreditation criteria (CAC) 3.0 Available Credit Facility

3.1 Agricultural Production Loan (APL) - short/medium/long term loans (depending on the gestation period of the crops/projects), for relending to cooperative members intended to finance crop production, livestock and poultry raising/breeding fishery and aquaculture projects, and other agri-aqua related projects, including cottage industries which utilize excess farm labor

3.2 Working Capital Loan (WCL) - intended to finance coop activities requiring operating capital for the purchase of raw materials, processing and trading of inputs and/or finished products, and the operation of fixed assets

3.3 Rediscounting Line (RL) - to supplement the coop's operating capital via rediscounting of promissory notes of its members 4.0 Loanable Amount

4.1 Depends on the project needs or established loan ceilings for traditional and high-value crops which should not exceed 80% of the project cost

4.2 For rediscounting, maximum of 85% of the outstanding balance of the sub-promissory notes

4.3 For Institutional/Employees' Cooperatives - up to six (6) months of the employees-sub-borrower's basic salary but not to exceed P300,000, or must be within the amount of bonuses and benefits to be received by the employee-sub-borrowers, for the PNs rediscounted against the bonuses/ benefits, provided further that the total loanable amount, inclusive of the loan amount against the salary, will not exceed P300,000 5.0 Interest Rate (subject to annual review by the Bank, or whenever necessary depending on the market condition)

5.1 Based on the prevailing prime rate at the time of loan availment plus a spread ranging from 3% to 6%, depending on the Bank's established risk factors, such as coop's type (agri or non-agri coops), maturity level (classes A, B, C, D or newly- accessing), and loan security (secured or non-secured)

5.2 For institutional/employees' cooperatives and associations, 11% per annum 6.0 Term of Loan/Mode of Payment

6.1 Based on the crop cycle and/project cash flow

6.2 For Institutional/Employees' Cooperatives and Associations - up to two (2) years, payable in monthly amortizations 7.0 Collateral Requirements

Any or combination of the following (depending on the project/s financed):

7.1 Deed of Assignment (DA) of Produce

7.2 DA of sub-borrowers' promissory notes

7.3 Real Estate Mortgage

7.4 Chattel Mortgage

7.5 DA or PCIC Insurance or Guarantee Coverage

7.6 Others: Hold-out on deposits, Guarantee Coverage, Joint and Several Signatures of coop's key officers 8.0 Documentary Requirements (Pre-processing)

8.1 Duly accomplished LBP loan application form; 8.2 Certified true copy of the Certificate of Registration with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Articles of Cooperation and By-Laws;

8.3 List of Board of Directors and Officers with bio-data and ID pictures, certified by the Board Secretary and attested by the Coop Chairman;

8.4 Board Resolution authoring the cooperative to borrow (stating the amount and purpose of loan) and designating at least two (2) officers to negotiate and sign documents with their specimen signatures and pictures;

8.5 Audited financial Statement (FS) for the last three (3) years, plus interim FS at the time of application; or interim FS for new coops; and

8.6 Masterlist of registered members with name of spouses, address, area and location of farm (if any), amount of subscribed and paid-up capital and specimen signatures prepared by the Board Secretary and attested by the Chairman (applicable to new cooperatives). Establishment/Renewal of Credit Line with LANDBANK (Annex A)

Processing of Loan Availments (Annex B)

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DAR bares landholdings acquired, set for distribution

A TOTAL of 3,635 landholdings has been covered under the land acquisition and distribution subcomponent of an amended land-reform law, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said. Agrarian Reform Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao said the landholdings acquired during the first half of the year cover a total area of 61,884 hectares. This is about only 7 percent of the remaining land acquisition and distribution (LAD) balance to be acquired by the DAR at 879,526 hectares as of January 1, 2013. At this rate, only about 185,652 would be under LAD by June next year, the deadline set for the DAR subcomponent of the Land Tenure Improvement component under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPer). According to the DAR, LAD involves the redistribution of government and private agricultural lands to landless farmers and farmworkers. Parungao, nonetheless, claims the first-half figures are the highest in 12 years for the DAR. Of the total LAD balance at approximately 821,662 hectares as of end-June, about 694,181 hectares are to be distributed to qualified beneficiaries, while an estimated 175,000 hectares are retention areas. A retention area is an estimated area that corresponds to the total of the areas to be retained by each land owner of the lands to be acquired and distributed by the government under the law. Under Republic Act 9700, a landowner is allowed to retain a maximum of five hectares of land covered by CARPer. These landholdings covered under LAD are in various stages.

Once a land has been acquired by the government under CARPer, the DAR needs to identify qualified beneficiaries, validate the list of qualified beneficiaries, conduct land survey and land valuation, complete the claims folder, until actual certificate of land ownership award (CLOA), the proof of ownership of the land covered by the program, are awarded. Parungao said that the DAR will continue to acquire and distribute lands beyond June 2014. It is incorrect to use June 2014 as deadline. Our position is that we can proceed with LAD even beyond the said date for lands where notice of coverage have already been served, he said citing Section 30 of RA 9700. Our legal position has been sustained by the Department of Justice through its legal opinions No. 59, s 2011 and 60 s, 2011 issued early and mid July this year, respectively, he added. The DOJ opinions, he said, gives the DAR the green light to proceed with LAD and continue implementing the two other major programs under CARPer, namely Agrarian Justice Delivery and Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) According to Parungao, LAD targets for the next four years are 160,000 hectares for 2013, 240,000 has. for 2014, 180,000 has. for 2015, and 112,000 has. for 2016. Parungao said that only 30 percent or 17,732 land holdings of the remaining 59,522 land holdings needs to be issued notice of coverage. In terms of area, the 30 percent balance for NOCs is estimated at 153,132 hectares out of the 499,138 hectares. The total landholdings with notice of coverage are now 41,790 covering 346,006 hectares. This excludes those with notice of coverage but already accomplished, he said.

Fertilizer Fund scam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Fertilizer Fund Scam is a Philippine political controversy involving accusations that Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolantediverted P728 million in fertilizer funds to the 2004 election campaign of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Contents
[hide]

1 Details

1.1 Jocelyn Bolante

2 Investigation 3 See also

4 External links 5 References

Details[edit]
In March 2004, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Senator Panfilo Lacson accused President Arroyo of vote-buying by authorizing the release of 728 million.[1] The money was supposedly to be used for the purchase of fertilizers which would be distributed to the local officials. After a year, an episode of the Probe Team reported that some farmers claimed that they did not receive fertilizers from the funds released by the Department of Agriculture. A Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) special report was released later saying that billions of farm funds were used to fund the presidential campaign of Arroyo.[1]

Jocelyn Bolante[edit]
Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante was the Agriculture Undersecretary when the fertilizer fund scam erupted. He is accused of diverting at least 728 million in fertilizer funds to President Arroyo's 2004 election campaign. [2] When the controversy broke out in 2006, Bolante fled to the US and sought asylum, but his petition was denied by the US courts and he was eventually deported. Bolante arrived in the Philippines on 28 October 2008. Upon his arrival, the Senate effected the warrant on Bolante, initially holding him under hospital arrest. After a month, Bolante appeared on the Senate for the first time. He denies that the money was misused stating that there was no fertilizer scam despite the findings of the Commission on Audit that there was excessive overpricing of the liquid fertilizer purchased by Bolante's proponents.[3] He cleared President Arroyo from any direct involvement. He also cleared the congressmen and other local officials implicated in the fertilizer fund scam.

Investigation[edit]
Task Force Abono is currently looking into the involvement of some 140 congressmen in the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program of the Department of Agriculture.[3]