Spending of Pagcor funds needs review

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña wants to review all resolutions requesting for project allocations to be charged against the Pagcor funds to make sure that these are in accordance with the guidelines.

The Cebu City Council deferred the approval of the resolutions of Councilors Jose Daluz III and Edgardo Labella during last Wednesday’s session.

Daluz is asking to allocate P1.2 million for the purchase of a vehicle for the use of the Cebu City Mining Regulatory Board and another P524,850 for the purchase of a pair of fiber glass basketball board for OPPRA sports complex.

Labella is requesting funds for the purchase plastic hose worth P9,504 to be distributed to the farmers of Barangay Binaliw.

Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on budget and finance, said all proposed projects that will be charged against the Pagcor funds have to be referred to her committee for review.

She wants to make sure that these projects are in line with the guidelines set by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Pagcor gives P3 million a month to the Cebu City Government as its share for allowing the operation of the Casino-Filipino in the city.

The funds shall be used for self-sustainable economic livelihood projects, infrastructure projects which are essential to the community such as self-help projects and for delivery of basic health services like improving health clinics and hospitals or projects that can stop the spread of diseases.

Pagcor funds can also be used for drainage-related projects, improvement of the collection of garbage and peace and order-related projects.

 From January to June 11, 2012, the city has already spent P65.2 million of the Pagcor funds for various projects.

Acting City Accountant Diwa Cuevas said the remaining Pagcor fund is P17.9 million.

The expenses that were charged against the Pagcor funds include P43.9 million for the purchase of vehicles like motorcycles, mini-garbage trucks, garbage trucks, multicabs, patrol cars, mini-fire trucks, service vehicles and ambulance; P6.495 for the purchase of mono block chairs, tables, projectors, laptops, camera, office supplies, communication equipment, tents, movable stage, nebulizer, dental care, sewing machines, fans, and photocopying machine; P5.8 million was spent for financial assistance to barangays; P1 million for drainage project in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel; P1 million for trainings and P8.2 million for festivals, celebrations and jobs fair.

Other expenses include uniforms of the Parents Teachers Association, Barangay Intelligence Network, financial assistance to barangays for basketball and volleyball tournaments.  (FREEMAN)