DBM rules: P23.2M ‘Tupas gift’ to BHWs a non-compliance to law
When it rains, it certainly pours. Again, too, unfortunately for the Iloilo Provincial Government.
This time it is in the tune of over P23.2 million cash gift to 11,649 volunteer Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of the province.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in a letter notified provincial government officials that the disbursement made in December was not in order. To be specific, the release of government funds for said purpose failed to comply with the requirements and limitations set forth by the law.
To note, Appropriation Ordinance (AO) No. 2008-08 dated December 19, 2008 was passed by the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP). Such gave Governor Niel Tupas and the Iloilo Provincial Government final nod on the BHW cash gift.
Signed anew by DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., it was to be the second in a row DBM notification. And this, a few days apart from the first sent that bore similar message of Capitol non-compliance in nearly P276 million December disbursement as well.
“At the outset, it may recalled that the Province of Iloilo is operating on a reenacted budget inasmuch as it has no Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Annual Budget,” excerpts of the DBM letter went. “Considering that AO No. 2008-08 provides for supplemental appropriations, it may not be allowed in absence of the FY 2008 Annual Budget of the Province.”
Accordingly, Secretary Andaya told Tupas and members of the SP, “AO No. 2008-08 is hereby declared inoperative in its entirety effective immediately…”
Expectedly, a reconsideration will be sought on Andaya’s ruling though it was not immediately clear if the move will first come from Tupas as the principal mover of the disbursement. The SP led by Vice Governor Rolex Suplico is also expected to do the same albeit the matter has since further divided the row between the Executive and Legislative department of the Iloilo Provincial Government.
To recall, efforts to approve the BHW gift was laden with controversies in December. SP members allied with Suplico expressed willingness on the plan yet was concerned on the manner of release.
The Capitol in 2008 operated on a 2007 reenacted budget following a similar “inoperative” declaration of the Annual Budget of that year.