|
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Councilor dares Talisay to sue COA over audit report
Independent Councilor Alan Bucao yesterday dared the Talisay City Government to sue the Commission on Audit (COA) if it believes that the latter’s audit report is not accurate and fair, especially on the handling of the City’s finances.
“I challenge them to sue COA for coming up with a negative feedback as far as fiscal management of the City is concerned. Let’s not answer it by merely saying that it’s not true,” Bucao said.
He also found it awkward that Mayor Socrates Fernandez would succumb to the “collegial decision” of the department heads about the manner of spending the City Government’s budget.
Calamity fund
As to the mayor’s statement that COA is not the ones running the City Hall, Bucao said it was “uncalled for” for a local chief executive in a growing metropolis.
In one of the City Council sessions last year, Bucao already warned not to drain the actual calamity fund or City Hall would end up nothing to provide to disaster victims in times of emergencies.
The COA, in its 2005 audit report, noted that about 98 percent or P8.6 million of its P11.1 million calamity fund was spent on purchases for City Hall’s disaster preparedness programs.
The COA found that City only spent P174,880 for actual calamity, which was given as an aid to fire victims in Sitio Nonoc, Barangay Tabunok on May 21, 2005.
“The expenditures for disaster preparedness are considered excessive,” the COA said.
State auditors advised the City Government to adopt “adequate controls” in using the calamity fund and establish the allocation for specific program of expenditures for the delivery of basic services during actual calamities.
Inventory
The COA also reported that some P69.09 million worth of properties, plant and equipment (PPE) could not be ascertained because of the lack of an accurate inventory report.
It then recommended that the General Services Office create a task force to inventory the City’s PPE, with complete data, including dates of acquisition.
For her part, City Legal Officer Aurora Econg described this as a mere lapse in recording, which was thoroughly discussed during an exit conference with state auditors.
Econg even added that Talisay City remains as the most liquid local government units in Cebu because of its zero debt. (GC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 2, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
