Solon: P1.2-B free Wi-Fi funds transferred to MMDA finally returns to treasury

Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza. (INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — P1.2 billion worth of funds for the government’s Free Wi-Fi for All Program, which was transferred originally to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), have been returned to the national treasury, Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza said.

In a statement on Monday, Daza said that MMDA’s move to return the funds to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) — the program’s implementing agency — is a big win for taxpayers.

“It’s another win for the Filipino taxpayers! The P1.2-B worth of funds that had been previously transferred by the [DICT] to the [MMDA] are now back with the national treasury,” Daza said.

“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 (Reps.) Florida ‘Rida’ Robes and Tobias ‘Toby’ Tiangco had done an excellent job. The people’s will has won,” he added.

It could be remembered that in a privilege speech last November, Daza revealed that DICT transferred funds to the MMDA and other agencies without getting the consent of Congress.

Daza said that P3 billion to P4 billion of DICT’s P12 billion funds had been transferred to MMDA, despite digitalization and internet connectivity not being a part of the agency’s mandate.

The P1.2 billion worth of funds transferred by the DICT to the MMDA was for the NCR Fiber Optic Backbone Development and Network Resiliency project.

READ: Solon questions DICT, MMDA for transferring fund for free wifi program sans Congress nod 

While it was clarified in a subsequent hearing that there was a provision in the General Appropriations Act that allowed agencies to seek a congressional nod no longer, DICT still did not ask for approval from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

One Commission on Audit resource person even agreed with Daza that the issue could be considered technical malversation based on first glance.

READ: Solons grill ex-DICT exec for unauthorized MMDA fund transfer 

Daza thanked former MMDA chairperson and now Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. for ensuring the return of the funds, saying that it has contributed to the positive outcome.

The lawmaker hoped that the issue would be a talking point for Congress and other agencies like DICT, to ensure accountability and transparency in the future.

“I am aware that it is being done every now and then. However, there should be clearer guidelines and accountability,” Daza said, adding that there is nothing wrong with transferring funds as long as it is done properly.

“As with anything in government, please, let’s just do it right. Let’s do it for the peace of mind of our taxpayers,” he added.

He also hoped that DICT would expedite the implementation of projects, considering that other government agencies involved also returned the funds.

“There’s a silver lining in all of these. We’re hopeful that DICT has also learned from this and will expedite its backlogged critical projects. The neediest communities in far-flung barangays are still waiting to be connected, especially through the free Wi-Fi program, which was given an additional allocation of P2.5 billion in 2023,” Daza noted. With reports from Niña Cuasay, trainee

JPV