PB asks for accounting of unimplemented projects

CEBU, Philippines - The department heads of Cebu Provincial Capitol are expected to present today, at the start of the successive hearings for the 2015 annual budget, the projects and funding which have yet to be implemented and disbursed for 2014.

Provincial Board Member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez, chairman of the budget and appropriations committee, said that the department heads were asked to lay out the funding they have not disbursed in 2014 so that they can “relate” it to the 2015 budget.

Sanchez said they admit that there was a delay in the disbursement of funds and implementation of projects for last year and this year.                   “Duna ‘ta mga kakulian sa niaging tuig sa pag-disburse nato para sa projects kay sa strict na requirements sa COA (Commission on Audit)” said Sanchez, as she added that they were very cautious in their disbursements and project planning.

But Sanchez said that the delay in the disbursement and implementation of projects should not be misinterpreted and taken against the administration of Governor Hilario Davide III as they were only implementing new processes in disbursements.

“Nasinati man sa tanan na duna’y process na atong gi-adapt sukwahi sa procedure na gibuhat sauna, mao siguro tong paspas ang pagpa-release sa mga proyekto. But we are being very extra careful now,” Sanchez said.

“But then we expect sa 2015, mas paspas na ang atong dagan kay in place na man ang bagong procedure na gi-adopt nato, contrary sa previous administration na gibuhat,” she added.

Sanchez said she will look into the possibility of inviting representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as from COA, so that the provincial government would be guided on how to properly implement projects.

She noted that in the past year, around P700 million worth of projects have been disallowed by COA.

Further, Sanchez said that the public should not be worried that there was slow implementation of projects for Davide’s first year in office.

“It’s not cause of alarm na medyo mas hinay ta karon kay we are just extra careful,” Sanchez said as she assured that everything will be better by 2015.

After today, another hearing will be conducted tomorrow and on November 5. — (FREEMAN)