Iloilo province, 34 towns incur P144M in illegal extra cash gift
Officials and employees of the Province of Iloilo and 34 out of its 42 towns are recipients of extra cash gifts found to have been illegally disbursed and irregularly granted.
With total value of over P144 million, the figures were uncovered by government auditors in the latest audit conducted on said local government units. The full amount was reflective of cash gifts granted in December 2008 as added Christmas bonuses.
Now wanting and awaiting full refund, the Iloilo Provincial Government topped the list, liable of P71 million in illegal releases.
From the roster of Iloilo towns, the Municipality of Pototan is highest with similar accountability at over P7.6 million.
The other towns in the top 20 list are the municipalities of Cabatuan – P2,535,000; Ajuy – P3,582,500; Tigbauan – P3,558,016; San Joaquin – 3,465,000; Barotac Viejo – P3,261,000; Janiuay – P3,220,000; Oton – P3,100,000; Lemery – P2,626,327; Santa Barbara – P2,575,000 and Calinog – P2,535,0000.
Also in the “magic 20” circle are the municipalities of Miag-ao – P2,445,000; Barotac Nuevo – P2,337,000; Pavia – P2,210,000; Balasan – P2,160,000; Dingle – P2,106,240; Zarraga – P2,093,000; Banate – P2.037,000; Dumangas – P1,987,955.05; Igbaras – P1,900,000 and Leganes – P1,821,772.44.
The town with the least in liability and accountability for the illegal extra cash gift was the Municipality of Sara with December added bonuses of P356,000 for its town officials and employees. In the same circle with less than a million in illegal releases were the towns of Estancia – P654,000 and Concepcion – P540,000,
Yet in “few” hundreds of thousands or in millions of pesos, for the Commission on Audit (COA), the same rule apply. The money must be refunded and returned to the coffers of the government.
The disbursement was deemed illegal due to the excess in Personal Services limitation provided for by law.
Other towns included and identified with illegal extra cash gifts were Alimodian – P1,759,018.50; Badiangan P1.080,000; Guimbal P1,785,000; Lambunao P1,587,800; Maasin P1,723,000; Anilao P1,628,000; Duenas – P1,482,030.33 and Batad – P1,200,000.