PSG got P248.3M from DBM’s DAP fund for Palace security cameras—DND

MANILA, Philippines—The military unit tasked with guarding President Aquino received P248.3 million from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to buy security cameras in Malacañang, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the defense department said the allocation for the Presidential Security Group (PSG) was part of the P665.6 million that it got from the DBM in 2011.

The DND said the PSG was the second-biggest recipient of the DAP among the units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Philippine Air Force received a total of P397.3 million in DAP allocation, the department said.

“The PSG also received P248.3 million, which was used for the PSG’s communications enhancement project,” the DND said.

The defense department said the project included the “laying out of the necessary backbone for the communications systems to be used and the repair of building and barracks” in Malacañang.

It said the fund was also used for the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in Malacañang and for the “upgrade of the PSG’s communications equipment from analog to digital with a secured encryption capability.”

“The PSG’s communications enhancement project was approved and funded by the (DBM) in December 2011. The PSG enhancement project commenced in January of 2012,” the DND said.

“The DAP fund was released to the DND for the different programs of the AFP, particularly for the procurement of equipment and spare parts, on-base housing and repair, renovation and rehabilitation of different facilities,” it added.

It said the PAF spent the money to finance on-base housing facilities, purchase of communication equipment and the implementation of other projects.

“Said projects include allocation of resources for search-and-rescue requirements, base facilities and equipment, and the repair, renovation and rehabilitation of Air Education and Training Command (AETC) facilities in Lipa, Batangas province,” the DND said.

It said the AETC was considered the premier training institution of the PAF, which offers “education of soldiers, officers and pilots of the Air Force.”