CH asked to replace P1.16M stale check

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit is asking the city government for the replacement of the stale check amounting to P1.16 million that is due to the Department of Social Welfare and Development as refund from the unexpended balance of the entrusted fund called the Financial Assistance for Lingap sa Mahihirap.

The check amounting to P1,160,921.68 has become stale because such has not been cleared for release by COA.

While the amount has been properly accounted, it is stalled for release as such is included in the P3.48 million total cash advance made by the city government from the various DSWD entrusted funds that needs liquidation.

Of the P3.48 million, some P900,000 is still being questioned by COA for some deficiencies.

The P900,000 represents the financial assistance given by DSWD-7 to the city government for food assistance to the victims of Typhoon Frank and families of the victims of the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy in 2008.

The COA noted some deficiencies in the liquidation report which includes the failure of the city government to submit a copy of the Purchase Orders and all supporting documents, failure to submit a program of activity, failure to comply with the rules of the government procurement law and discrepancies in the records of the recipients of the food assistance.

COA said that the complete names and addresses of the beneficiaries were not available in the distribution lists.

“It should be noted that these are basic information necessary in our evaluation to prove the correctness and existence of the beneficiaries,” COA said.

COA asked the Department of Social Welfare and Services to explain its failure to correct these deficiencies.

There was also a P13,699.50 worth of foodstuffs that were unaccounted. It includes snacks, mineral water, cup noodles and packed meals.

COA also asked for the copy of official receipt of funds from DSWD for verification purposed. COA also noted that the dates of the notices of awards, delivery and purchase orders do not match.

“There were recipients/beneficiaries who received packed meals twice or thrice under one meal serving in the total amount of P81,360.00. Some even received four to five packs. Please explain,”COA told the city government.

COA also questioned some names in the distribution list without a signature which was supposed to acknowledge receipt of the foods.  (FREEMAN)