MARCH 14, 2014

NR # 3405

Solon seeks publication in newspapers of new foreign aid agreements

A lawmaker is seeking the publication in newspapers of recently signed foreign aid agreements to show the governments transparency in the utilization of the fund. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District !agayan de "ro !ity# sought the publication of any agreement on foreign aid whether loan or loan and grant through $ouse %ill &'&(. )!onsidering the present allegations of misuse or non*use of foreign aid it is high time that the government shows transparency in the utilization of foreign aid. Re+uiring publication of the foreign loan agreement upon its signing is a step in this direction , said Rodriguez. $e said the lack of transparency in the disclosures of foreign aid granted to the -hilippines and the supposed beneficiary of the fund is perceived as one of the main causes of the wastage in foreign aid. .ven a study by the /ational .conomic Development Authority (/.DA# shows that the countrys capacity to meet commitments based on the -aris Declaration on Aid .ffectiveness by 20(0 is )disturbing, according to Rodriguez. )"f the nine indicators mentioned in the -aris Declaration the -hilippines has so far achieved the 20(0 target for only one indicator that of coordinated capacity development , said Rodriguez. 1he lawmaker e2plained that the -aris Declaration is an international agreement endorsed by more than (00 ministers heads of agencies and other senior officials on 3arch 2 2004. 5t commits the signatories to increasing efforts in harmonization alignment and management of foreign aid including official development assistance ("DA# using a set of actions and indications that can be monitored according to Rodriguez. $e said the country is a perennial recipient of foreign aid but even with such assistance its development is still lagging behind those of many other nations in 6outheast Asia. )1his simply reflects the unrealized supposed benefits of foreign aid. Among the reasons for the dismal result including poor institutional development corruption inefficiencies and bureaucratic failures in the developing countries , said Rodriguez. $ouse %ill &'&( co*authored by Rep. 3a2imo Rodriguez (-arty*list Abante 3indanao# provides that any agreement on foreign aid whether loan or loan and grant

shall be published within one month after the signing thereof in two national newspapers of general circulation. 1he bill provides that the publication include the agreement itself the country or organization which is the source of the foreign aid the amount involved the beneficiaries thereof the pro7ect or program covered and the conditional ties attached thereto. 1he /.DA director*general shall be responsible for the agreements publication. Any foreign aid agreement which does not comply with the provisions of the proposed Act shall be of no force and effect and shall not bind the government to the terms of the agreement nor shall the government be bound to pay the amount of the obligations covered therein the bill provides. (&0# rbb