COA on pro-poor funds: Why was money used for gym?

CEBU, Philippines – The Commission on Audit has directed Dumanjug to explain why the P500,000 for the town's pro-poor program was used to improve its gym.

In its 2009 report, COA said "trust funds shall only be used for the specific purpose for which it came into possession of the local government unit." The P500,000 came from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri supposedly for the town's pro-poor program. COA found out, however, that the money was used to finance the improvement of Dumanjug's Friendship Gym.

"Trust funds shall only be used for the specific purpose for which it came into the possession of the local government unit, hence, depriving the poor/less privilege constituents to enjoy the benefits the program was intended," COA said in its 2009 audit report.   COA said the realignment of the funds should have been with approval of the town council, as well as Zubiri himself.

Zubiri donated the money to Dumanjug under Special Allotment Order (SARO) No. ROCS 08-1125 dated January 17, 2008 as indicated in the Notice of Funding Check Issued by the regional office of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

However, the voucher and supporting documents submitted to COA on the utilization showed that the P500,000 was used in the installation of parquet of the gym, a total of P480,990 has already been expended.

"We required management to submit to us a copy of written approval from Senator Zubiri on such realignment, unfortunately, nothing has been submitted so far," the state auditor said.

It added that "the letter dated March 18, 2009 of Senator Zubiri submitted by Mayor Cesar Baricuatro pertains to SARO No. 09-01318 dated March 4, 2009 and not to SARO No. ROCS 08-1125 dated January 17, 2008."  (FREEMAN)