COA report: a Pandora’s Box of wonder

YOU can never really predict what the cosmos have written and all we do is simply wait for the succeeding events to unfold and get awed by its intricate orchestration before our eyes.

Just like the sudden emergence of this Commission on Audit (COA) report for Cagayan de Oro City for calendar year 2011.

The report, now being transmitted in the internet and social networks, are considered as a precious “archeological find” for journalists to scrutinize on and to the civil society watchdogs who have been gritting their teeth in this current city administration.

A revelation to itself, this COA report seems to be authentic enough as figures and results were very… I don’t want to exaggerate, but the least, it’s something worth the read. Whoever or whatever the cause of the instant proliferation of this document just three weeks short before October 1, the official filing of candidacy for the 2013 elections, still only the cosmos knows.

And some people, especially the COA, should explain this in layman’s term in order for a simple janitor in the public market could understand the meaning of the following, and these are just few:

“1.1. The accuracy and correctness of general ledger Cash-in-Bank, Local Currency, Current Account amounting to P803,470,803.67 as of December 31, 2011 could not easily ascertained in the absence of Bank Reconciliation Statements Reports and/or adequate subsidiary records.”

“1.2. Reflected balances of accounts comprising Receivable Account in the sum of P450,471,427.66 (GF)is lesser by P46, 457,535.09 as compared to the total running balances of P496,928,962.75 per General Ledgers.”

“1.3. The existence and validity of Property, Plant and Equipment account in the sum of P3,518,236,883.85 could not be established due to the inability of Management to complete the physical inventory report and provide adequate subsidiary records.”

“1.4. The reliability and correctness of the balances of Current Liabilities account for General, Special Education and Trust Funds of P476,155,365.15, P39,9032,051.10 and P98,369,092.43, respectively are doubtful.”

In fairness with these reports, some departments at city hall have given their explanation and one of the reasons is that there were “missing” figures because the part of city hall was also affected by the flood brought about by tropical “Sendong” last year. But is that how much money lost in just a night of flooding within 12 months?

“2.1. Contracts involving the lease of vacant spaces at the Cogon and Carmen Public Market Buildings, respectively, have not been submitted for audit review, brushing aside the pertinent requirement of Section 3.1 of CoA Circular No. 2009-001.”

“2.2 Non-organization or establishment of a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) that requires to formulate LDRRMO Plan, in violation of Section 12 of Republic Act No. 10121.”

Again, in all fairness to the city government, an LDRRMO was already established, only that it was reported established a day after “Sendong” ruined most coastal parts in the city.

There are lots of revelations indicated in this mysterious COA report that showed up like a ghost from the past, with all due respects to the Bible’s Book of Revelation. If you still don’t have a copy, ask someone who is internet savvy and find the COA website or people in Facebook who are active in civic organization groups.

And again, bring someone who can simplify the words into simple English in order for you to easily understand, and be part of the “shock and awe” club.

(Nef Luczon is a freelance journalist and a part-time communications instructor. He is also a film and art enthusiast. Send comments to nefluczon@gmail.com)