COA orders special audit for New Government Center
BACOLOD CITY -- Commission on Audit (COA) recently constituted a special audit team to conduct a contract review and inspection of the New City Government Center.
This was confirmed yesterday during a press conference with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia along with Vice Mayor Jude Thadeus Sayson and SP Members Greg Gasataya and Homer Bais. Leonardia express his surprise why a special audit was conducted despite the recent opinion of COA during a pre-audit that the price of the new government center is reasonable.
"We were surprised on the move for a special audit for the government center... and it is a sad reality if someone behind this whom he considered a saboteur on this project," Leonardia added.
Based on the COA Office Order no. 2008-228, COA Chairman Reynaldo Villar ordered Engineer Roldan Menciano Sr. Technical Audit Specialist to spearhead the inspection along with Engineer Lawrence Tato State Auditor 1 as member of the special audit team.
In his office order, Villar said that "in the interest of the service, a special audit team is hereby constituted to conduct a contract review and inspection of the new Bacolod City Government Center. Leonardia likewise welcome the move of COA but he had some doubt that someone instigating on this just like the other city project of Felisa Dumpsite and Bacolod New Slaughterhouse.
According to Villar that the inspection for NGC had already commenced last Monday and this will end on October 24, 2008. After the said inspection, the special audit team will submit a report within 30 days after completion of the fieldwork. Villar said that the traveling and other incidental expenses that will be incurred in connection with this order shall be charged against the appropriate funds of the Commission.
He further said that the Assistant Commission with Local Government Sector shall supervise the proper implementation of this order.
On the other hand, Leonardia believes that this is a clear indication that someone sabotage the New Government Center so that they could not transfer to their new home. He again accused his political detractors who has a different agenda for their own personal interest in 2010 election.