Affidavits in place of lost barangay records

CEBU, Philippines – An official from the Commission on Audit suggested that barangay officials in Cebu City file an affidavit to support their claims that they can no longer produce documents pertaining to transactions made by their predecessors.

COA assistant director Frederick Nograles acknowledged that incumbent barangay officials have the burden to produce the documents needed by the commission for them to get their honorariums this month.

COA has asked the City Accounting Office to withhold the honoraria of barangay officials, particularly barangay captains and treasurers, if they cannot submit the documents for their financial reports from 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The documents include vouchers and official receipts.

"Mo-execute nalang sila og affidavit kung dili nila ma-produce," Nograles said.

Barangay officials admitted they have difficulty in beating the deadline set by the COA for the submission of the documents because they only assumed office last December 1, 2007.

COA asked city accountant Arlene Rentuza to withhold the honoraria of barangay officials for September pending their submission of documents for the transactions beginning January of that year.

Unfortunately for them, their predecessors did not leave documents, if there were any, as there was no formal turnover.

Another official of the commission, who refused to be named, partly blamed the incumbent barangay officials saying that when the incumbent officials assumed office in December 2007, they had the prerogative to withhold whatever benefits from former barangay captains and treasurers if they fail to turn over the documents.

But she also agreed with the incumbent officials saying there was no formal turnover of documents.  

"Mga gahi man pud na sila og ulo gud, ang uban. Giingnan man na sila nga duna gyud proper turnover of documents pero ang uban wala man misunod," she said.

Duljo-Fatima barangay captain Elmer Abella already informed COA that they have difficulty in meeting the deadline because they cannot find the required reports.

Abella said that as early as January 2008, they tried to produce the attachments to the reports but these could not be found.

So far, only 15 out of the city's 80 barangays have completed and complied with the recommendations of COA. These are T. Padilla, Mabolo, Cogon Ramos, Lusaran, Mabini, Basak San Nicolas, Carreta, Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Sinsin, San Nicolas Proper, Sambag I, Busay, Pulangbato and Guadalupe.  (FREEMAN)