COA to Balamban gov’t: Return unused P420K

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has asked the municipality of Balamban to return the P420,000 intended for the Disposal of Garbage and Waste Enforcement for Nature and Vermiculture Composting Programs.

 In its 2013 audit report, COA found the Memorandum of Agreement entered into by and between Balamban and the Province of Cebu on the said program remained unimplemented despite of the receipt of funds in October 2009.

 Former governor, now third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia, launched the programs in compliance with the policy declared in Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

 The programs aim to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program by committing to help Local Government Units to attain genuine and meaningful local autonomy in their responsibility of managing the environment within their territorial jurisdiction.

 On July 22, 2009 the municipal government of Balamban together with the other municipalities of Cebu entered into a MOA with the Province of Cebu, with the purpose of establishing Material Recovery Facility and Vermiculture Composting Facility in every component cities/municipalities and barangays province wide.

 This is to ensure that recyclable and compostable materials from household and other waste sources are managed and properly disposed of in accordance with the mandates of  RA 9003.

 On the MOA, the Province of Cebu granted P15,000 for every barangay within its jurisdiction after having been certified that the municipality has already established a MRF and VCF in their areas.

 In the fourth quarter of 2009, Balamban received from the Province of Cebu the amount of P420,000 to be used in the implementation of the D’GWEN program.

 Verification of the disbursement transactions during the year, COA noted no single expenditure incurred related to the program and the monthly trial balance on trust fund accounts also revealed that the amount received for the project remained unexpended.

“Failure on the part of implementing agency  to execute the project consequently lost the benefits that can be derived therefrom and ultimately defeats the purpose of the project,” COA said.

 The League of Municipalities in the Philippines-Cebu chapter earlier came up with a stand requesting the Capitol to have the fund for D’GWEN Program be used in another program, considering that the original program is not feasible.  (FREEMAN)