Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Nalzaro: Post-summit probe By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
WHILE our government officials are savoring the success of Cebu's hosting of the 12th Asean Summit, let us not forget that there are still nagging unanswered questions related to the activity, like the huge expenditures incurred in the preparations and during the holding of the international gathering.
Big expenses were one of the issues raised by critics of the Asean summit. How much was the actual money spent?
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas is now looking into the reported overpricing in the purchase of decorative lampposts installed along the summit’s ceremonial routes. Each lamppost reportedly cost P95,000, with some of them later found to be defective.
Also, the anti-graft body is looking into the purchase and installation of surveillance cameras. Funds for the lamppost and surveillance camera projects were taken from the multibillion-peso budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Director Virginia Palanca-Santiago said her office is now conducting fact-finding investigations on the two multimillion-peso Asean summit projects following complaints filed by militant organizations and the winning bidder of the surveillance camera project. (The bidder was not awarded the contract, thus the complaint.)
The anti-graft office already referred the matter to the Commission on Audit (COA) so it can start retrieving all the pertinent documents from DPWH.
Well and good. But what about the spending for the summit by the local government units (LGUs) of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu? These LGUs appropriated millions of pesos for beautification projects, to entertain the delegates and the purchase of police mobility and logistical support. These should be looked into.
An example is the use of calamity funds for Asean summit-related expenditures. The Lapu-Lapu City Government appropriated P10 million from its calamity fund to buy items for its Swat team.
Cebu City also spent P25 million for the purchase of 25 units of Innova cars for the police and P800,000 to host a dinner for national and foreign media that, according to my source, was attended by only very few people. Are the expenses justifiable?
There was also the huge amount spent for road repairs and rehabilitation and for beautification projects. Can’t the Ombudsman or COA, for example, look into the price of those plants along the ceremonial routes and that of the paints used in intersections and on electric posts?
What about the budget for the spouses’ tour attended by only three first ladies of visiting heads of state? Was the money really spent for the purpose?
Where is the unspent portion of the budget, if any? That's what the taxpayers want to know. And these questions can only be answered if a thorough investigation is conducted.
As for the controversial Cebu International Convention Center, those who are alleging that budget for its construction was bloated can file a complaint.
Maayo na para mahatagan og husay ang katawhan ug mahunong na ang mga pagduda nga daghan ang nakasapi sa Asean summit. Cuentas claras ba.
