City Government overcharging to Pagcor funds

THE Cebu City Government’s charges to its share of revenues from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) exceed the balance of the funds.

Based on records of the City Accounting Office, the total approved resolutions charged to the Pagcor funds for 2011 and 2012 that are yet to be prioritized totaled P20.6 million.

These include the purchase of motor vehicles, purchase of various equipment and supplies, purchase of T-shirts and food, financial assistance and livelihood programs, among others.

Last receipt of share

But according to a report of the City Council’s committee on budget and finance, Pagcor funds only amounted to P17,979,968.84, as of last June 13.

And Councilor Margarita Osmeña, committee head, said the City last received its P4-million share from Pagcor last April yet.

The committee report was an offshoot to the resolution authored by Councilors Jose Daluz III and Edgardo Labella that seeks to charge to Pagcor funds the purchase of vehicles, basketball boards, and computers, among others, for the use of barangays.

But while the charges exceed the balance, Osmeña said her committee is inclined to favor the additional charges.

She added that the processing of the approved resolutions charged to Pagcor funds is not on time.

Guidelines

During the council’s regular session last Wednesday, Osmeña asked the accounting office to submit a quarterly report to her committee on the City’s use of Pagcor funds.

The state-run gambling firm gives out funds to local government units where its casinos operate.

In Cebu City, Pagcor operates a casino at the Waterfront Hotel in Barangay Lahug. It also operates electronic and bingo games at the Rajah Park and other sites in Metro Cebu.

For allowing them to operate in Cebu City, the City Government gets at least P4 million every month as its share of revenues.

Based on the guidelines, Pagcor funds should be used for sustainable economic projects, preferably at the grassroots level; infrastructure projects that are essential to the community; and projects that promote the prompt delivery of basic services.

Pagcor funds are also tapped for projects related to the improvement of peace and order and for emergency assistance to victims of natural disasters and calamities. (PDF)