COA scores Capitol anew, demands explanation on over P3.3M 'donations'
Over P3.3 million in assistance made by the Iloilo Provincial Government (IPG) to some 22 people's organizations have been questioned by the Commission on Audit (COA).
From donated-government money wrongly spent on a Christmas party and traveling expenses of one organization, to the purchase of a P60,000 worth of computer, to the P874,000 given to one group not accredited by the IPG and over P2.1 million in fund releases minus supporting documents, COA now wants answers.
Contained in an 8-paged Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) Reference No. 2008-012, government State Auditors called anew on Governor Niel Tupas Sr. for said explanation.
With the governor as recipient of the AOM, the commission likewise singled out the provincial accountant and the Provincial Planning and Development Office chief for the needed answers.
"The Provincial Accountant should explain the release of financial assistance amounting to P832,500 to government associations professionals and government employees' organizations that were utilized for holding Christmas party… the provincial accountant should explain the release of financial assistance to the NGOs/POs totaling P874,000 despite the lack of official accreditation, P,171,500 without MOA and incompleteness of supporting documents," excerpts of the AOM obtained by The News Today (TNT) went.
Governor Tupas for his part, COA wrote, should ensure strict compliance of the law.
"The non-compliance with prescribed rules and regulations, accounting and auditing guidelines as provided in the Circular on the part of the Local Government Unit in the release of financial assistance resulted in lack of control mechanism on the granting, utilization, management and recording of the funds and the standards for project implementation and acceptance," the AOM further stated.
Accreditation is a must, the COA wrote, stressing that such "will ensure that the NGO/PO has legal personality, has officers who are responsible and accountable for its operations and is based in the community where the project shall be implemented."
The questioned "donations" formed part of the 2007 financial dealings of the IPG. And while government money may be spent on Christmas parties and travel, the COA told the governor, "these could be classified as donations to other levels of government… and not as subsidy to NGOs/POs."
Foremost in the purpose of the donated government funds, the governor is reminded, is aimed at the promotion of "the welfare of the nation." Parties and travel, the AOM went, are more of "personal development."