COA questions DFA on non-collection of rental

The Commission on Audit has questioned the non-rental of private entities occupying a space at the Regional Consular Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In its annual report, COA noted that a space at the ground floor of DFA's Cebu City office is being occupied by a canteen, a photo studio and a photocopier service.

COA said the area is part of the 740-square-meter office space rented by DFA-Cebu at P125,000 a month.

An audit of the expenses disclosed that no rental was paid by those private entities and the electricity they consumed was paid for by the DFA-Cebu.

Section 4 of Presidential Decree 1445 provides that government funds or property should be spent or used solely for public purposes.

COA recommended that the private entities should rent the space they utilize and that a separate meter should be installed for the electricity they consume.

DFA regional director Angel Espiritu Sr. said they already explained to COA that no rental payment was made to the department since they were merely following the practice of DFA-Manila.

Espiritu said the space was provided for the operations of the DFA Multipurpose Cooperative. However, he said the issue a separate meter for the electricity consumed by the concessionaires will be raised with the building owner.

The services inside the DFA building include the processing of certain requirements needed in obtaining a passport.

DFA-Cebu caters to 500 passport applicants daily. - Ferliza C. Contratista/LPM