Capitol told: Demand liquidation of P22M cash aid

CEBU, Philippines- The Commission on Audit has ordered the Cebu provincial government to demand liquidation from 139 Non-Government Organizations and People’s Organizations which have failed to account for financial assistance granted to them amounting to P22 million.

“We recommend that the Provincial Accounting Office send demand letters requiring the submission of the Fund Utilization/Liquidation Report from... NGOs and POs to ascertain that funds granted were utilized in accordance with the purpose as stated in the respective Memorandum of Agreement executed to support the grant,” COA said.

In its review of the Capitol’s financial operations last year, there were 139 NGOs and POs granted with financial assistance since 2007 that have failed to provide liquidation documentation.

The Capitol’s subsidiary ledgers show that the controversial Perdido Lex Foundation had a balance of P900,000 and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce  and Industry had P8.2 million.

Cebu Arts Foundation, Inc. was also not able to liquidate the P1 million grant of the province as of December last year, the same with Zonta Clubs of Cebu Foundation, Inc., which has P400,000 balance.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and the “KKK” also failed to liquidate P8.4 million and P332,000, respectively.

“The accumulation of unliquidated fund transfers to NGOs and POs over the years shows laxity in the monitoring of the said funds and enforcement of the required fund utilization reports from the proponents,” COA said.

COA recommended to the Capitol to file “appropriate charges, if necessary” against these “erring” groups.

During the exit conference, the provincial accountant told the COA auditors that they already sent demand letters to “some” of the organizations, and only Perdido Lex has submitted the liquidation report.

The accountant also added that those which were not able to liquidate the funds will no longer receive additional funding from the province.  (FREEMAN)