COA orders bank not to encash some barangay checks
CEBU, Philippines - Over 20 barangays in Cebu City were given suspension of encashment notices from the Land Bank of the Philippines as ordered by the Commission on Audit (COA) for failure to submit the required Punong Barangay Certificates (PBCs).
This was disclosed by Councilor Philip Zafra, the president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) after the City Council’s regular session yesterday.
Zafra’s barangay, Tisa, is among those that got the notices from COA.
Zafra said he only knew about the notice last week when the bank called his office informing him about the directive of COA to suspend the encashment of those barangays with lack of PBCs.
Zafra claimed the notices were given prior to the barangay elections last year and that he, who was just elected to the position, was not informed about it.
“I’m not aware about it that there is a notice from COA requiring the barangay to submit a PBC or a copy of which to COA,†he said.
“Considering that there was no formal turnover being undertaken by the former administration, we are not really aware of matters relative to whatever transactions involved,†he added.
The PBC, Zafra explained pertains to monetary requirements of all transactions, vouchers and encashment in the bank with the attachment of certificates signed by the barangay captain.
“Dili ma encash ang among check (salary, payment of supplies, and the like) unless ma comply to ang pag submit sa PBC,†he said.
Zafra has requested COA for reconsideration and also sent a demand letter to his predecessor, former barangay captain Eddie Cabulao, to comply COA’s requirements.
In a separate interview, Cabulao said the current barangay treasurer, his ally is now preparing the pertinent documents to be submitted to COA.
On the other hand, Zafra assured his barangay officials and employees will still get their salaries.
“It’s a matter of compliance with paper works, documentation…as long as they have all the files dali ra na,†he added. — (FREEMAN)
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