CH owes over P5 million to relief good suppliers

CEBU, Philippines - Over P5 million worth of relief goods and other materials distributed by the Cebu City Government to the fire victims last year is yet to be paid to its suppliers.

Department of Social Welfare and Services chief Catherine Yso admitted that more than 10 suppliers still continue to demand payments from the city government because the vouchers for the payment of their goods have not been processed. The documents are allegedly pending at the accounting office.

The P5 million accounts payable is the cost for the food, relief materials and housing materials that the city distributed to the fire victims in T. Padilla and Duljo-Fatima last year.

The city spent over P12 million for the relief operations in the T. Padilla fire but only P10 million was paid. Yso said the remaining P2 million was left unpaid.

In Duljo Fatima wherein over 300 individuals lost homes, P3.6 million worth of food during a three-day operation have not been paid to the suppliers.

Yso said they are fortunate because most of these companies understand the delay that is due to the closing of the books of account. The books of account closed yesterday. It usually takes only three months before the suppliers get paid.

Yso said she already asked the help of the city administrator to prioritize the payment for the suppliers of goods because they have a hard time getting supplies during emergencies such as fire.

“Nihangyo mi nila nga i-prioritize lang ang bayad sa mga suppliers kay simbako naay sunog, basin di na sila magpautang nato,” she said.

Mayor Michael Rama ordered DSWS to sit down with the city accountant to immediately settle their obligations to the suppliers.

“We will pay them immediately kay maulaw man ta, ila baya tang gitabangan,” he said.

He said that there might be changes in the accounting office soon to further improve the department. Rama said that there are applicants for key positions in the department.

While he did not say that he is replacing OIC-City Accountant Arlene Rentuza but Rama said he wants a permanent person in the position. “The accounting office needs help,” Rama said. – (FREEMAN)