The House has approved a bill extending the corruption-tainted Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (Acef) by another seven years up to 2022. The House committee on agriculture and food approved House Bill No. 6162 extending the Acef which was to end this year with at least P2 billion in funds still unspent. The Acef was established in 1996 as part of the government’s safety net for farmers and fishermen adversely affected by the opening of the domestic farm sector to imports. The fund was originally set to expire in 2007 but was extended eight years.

Cabacungan, G. (2015, October 16). Graft-tainted fund to aid farmers, fishers extended. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.