Talisay urged: Implement COA recommendation

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has asked Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes to submit an update on the city’s action against the unliquidated cash advances of his predecessor, former mayor Socrates Fernandez, amounting to P18 million.

State auditors have asked delos Reyes to submit a status report on the implementation of its recommendations in 2012.

“We will greatly appreciate if we can be updated regarding the status of the implementation of subject recommendations on or before January 31, 2014. Documents in connection with the action taken by concerned offices/parties may be submitted to our office for proper evaluation and consideration,” read state auditor Ma. Daisy Bercede’s letter addressed to delos Reyes.

Berdede attached in her letter the COA report of the city’s 2012 operations wherein state auditors discovered Fernandez’ unliquidated cash advances and other discrepancies.

State auditors earlier found that the city’s total balance of inventory accounts amounting to P21,696,313.76 in 2012 is “unreliable”  because of unreconciled differences in the books and inventory reports, unrecorded issuances caused by the non-preparation of summary supplies and materials issued resulting in the overstatement of inventory accounts and understating the related expenses.

COA also noted the absence of supplies ledger cards by the accounting office and stock cards by the General Services Office. Following these observations, COA recommended to the city government to instruct the accountant and GSO chief to reconcile their records and “any discrepancy be immediately verified and adjusted to reflect the accurate value of inventories.”

However, COA said that the recommendations appeared to have not been followed. Bercede reminded the mayor of the city government’s obligations.

“Please be reminded that during the exit conference held last April 13, 2013 management committed to implement some of these recommendations immediately,” said Bercede.  (FREEMAN)