Aloguinsan town ordered to refund P600,000 in repairs

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has ordered Mayor Cynthia Moreno of Aloguinsan and two other municipal officials to pay back the more than P600,000 that the local government spent for the cladding project of the Municipal Hall in 2007.

The technical and information technology services audit team of COA led by Engr. Allan Gajudo and Nilo Confessor found out that the price of the composite aluminum panel and metal frames bought by the municipal government of Aloguinsan from Diamond Interior Industrial Corp. was higher compared to the personal canvass made by the auditors.

State auditors likewise found out that the number of aluminum panels delivered by the supplier was more than the actual number needed. Diamond Interior delivered 311 sheets of aluminum composite panels cladding including metal framing materials, but the auditors discovered that there were only 236 sheets installed during actual inspection.

State auditors’ findings showed that the municipal government paid higher than what was quoted by Diamond Interior during the personal canvass made by COA aside from the fact that it was not the prevailing price in the market.

In the COA canvass the supplier quoted P2,350 per sheet while another company, Asia Glass Palace, quoted the same material used for the project for only P1,400 per sheet.

Audit team leader Esperanza Obatay issued a notice of disallowance and ordered Moreno, together with the chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee Pepito Manguilimotan and Christopher Brigoli who certified that the amount paid was correct, to pay back the amount.

COA warned them to immediately settle their obligation otherwise they will be compelled to take legal action. —Fred P. Languido/BRP (THE FREEMAN)