Sunday, March 25, 2007 Barangays want Congress funds sent to them, not thru City Hall
CONGRESSIONAL funds intended for projects in the barangays should go directly to the concerned barangay, and not pass through City Hall, village officials said.
Cebu City’s barangay captains complained that bureaucratic red tape prevents local projects from starting right away.
They asked the Commission on Audit (COA) 7, through a resolution, to course whatever funding they get from their district congressman directly to their barangays.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 7 Director Carmela Fernan said they do not require the funds to pass through the Cebu City accountant before these are disbursed to the barangay.
But COA does, she said, to help barangays, most of which do not have accountants who can make necessary reports like financial statements.
She suggested that the barangay captains, through the Association of Barangay Councils officials, seek an audience with COA officials.
According to her, the House speaker must first approve the special allocation release order from a congress-man’s funds before DBM Manila can issue this to its regional offices, which then send notices of cash allotment.
The check goes into the barangay’s account but since the amount has to pass through the City Government, the City Council’s approval is required before the money can be released.
Meanwhile, Fernan reminded barangay captains of their responsibilities as heads of the “procuring entity,” which is the barangay, when bidding for projects.
Among others, the barangay captain should ensure that members of the bids and awards committee (BAC) and the technical working group get their incentives.
Although not mandatory, the incentives may be taken from sales of bidding documents and other requirements.
It is the barangay captain who appoints five to seven persons to the BAC, and must see to it that observers are present “in all stages of procurement.”
Observers could be COA representatives and members of nongovernment organizations and private groups whose discipline is relevant to the procured service or goods. (RHM)
