Capitol gives incentives sans COA nod

CEBU, Philippines - Despite being questioned by the Commission on Audit, the provincial government has started distributing productivity incentives of the barangay volunteer workers totalling P43 million.

The Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars(BNSs), Day Care Workers (DCW), Barangay Animal Health Aides (BAHAs) and Barangay Tanods in the towns of Tabogon, Borbon, San Remegio, and the City of Bogo received their incentives last week.

There are 8,050 BHWs, 904 BNSs, 1,621 DCWs, 431 BAHAs and 14,713 barangay tanods registered in the province.

Each BHW, BNS, DCW received P2, 400 while the barangay tanods and BAHAs got P1,500 each.

Capitol was supposed to give out the incentives to the barangay workers in December last year but COA questioned the legality of granting additional compensation or incentives, prompting the province to suspend distribution.

COA said it found no legal basis for granting the incentives, stating that it does not conform to Local Budget Circular issued on October 2, 1996. A provision in the circular states that the province, city or municipality cannot grant compensation to barangay officials and employees.

But Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega explained that the provision has been repealed by Sec. 3.2 and Sec 3.2.3.3 of the Department of Budget Management Circular 73, issued on January 10, 2001, which allows the granting of honoraria to frontline workers at the barangay to be “charged from the barangay funds, provided that  this does not preclude higher local governments to undertake projects in the barangay...”

Capitol wants COA to reconsider its findings, but COA is yet to respond to the request.

“Wala man mi-reply ang COA sa among letter so we went ahead because we really think kining atong barangay workers really deserve the incentives. Kausa ra gud na in a year,” he said. —/JMO (FREEMAN)