Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, Magpale tells COA: Tourism, not revenues

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol has told the Commission on Audit that the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo program is not really meant to raise revenues but rather promote the tourism destinations in the countryside.

Acting Governor Agnes Magpale yesterday answered COA’s observation that a number of “deficiencies” on the expenses have reached P11, 455, 064.81 in 2012.

In her letter, Magpale said that the observations are well-taken and that the management is in full accord with COA to be prudent in the disbursement of funds.

But Magpale emphasized that “the objective of Suroy Suroy is not really to raise revenues but rather to promote the tourism destinations in the countryside and to instill pride of place in the Cebuanos and be aware of the potentials of their towns and appreciate distinct culture and heritage.”

“To make it sustainable, the present management revisited the mechanics of Suroy Suroy after it was institutionalized and we are still open to suggestions,” Magpale said.

Included in her reply to COA is the comparative report of the program in 2012 under the suspended governor Gwendolyn Garcia and in 2013 under Magpale.

During the time of Garcia, there were at least four legs but since the assumption of Magpale as acting governor, only two legs were being held in southern Cebu and in Camotes Island.

The COA earlier raised concerns on the expenditures when it highlighted that there were instances in the number of Suroy-Suroy program that non-paying guests were more than the paying guests.

“We informed them that under the reformatted Suroy Suroy sa 2013, mao na ni ang changes,” Magpale said.

She reported that during the Southern Getaway 2013 leg, there were 67 paying participants which is 2.18 percent less than the 70 entourage compared to 250 paying participants in 2012 which is 42.86 percent more than the 100 entourage.

For Camotes Isles Summer Interlude 2013, there were 74 paying participants which is 9.62 percent more than the 61 entourage.

COA said that the amount spent in 2012 was 201 percent more than the total revenue collection of the program in that year which was P3,793,319.00.

This was made even as the Provincial Government still had to pay P67.5 million for the 26 buses it procured in October for the program, the COA pointed out.

With this concern, Magpale informed COA about the status of the 26 units of tourist buses procured during the time of Garcia.

  “We just want them to know this has been put on hold because there was no approval from the (Provincial) Board,” Magpale said.—(FREEMAN)