Capitol ignores COA, pays out brgy workers

CEBU, Philippines - Despite disapproval from the Commission on Audit for lack of legal basis, the Capitol has continued granting cash incentives to barangay health workers.

At least 3,300 barangay workers have already received cash incentives from the provincial government. Among the beneficiaries were the towns of Ginatilan with 239 recipients, Aloguinsan (238), Barili (454), San Francisco ( 277), Poro (194), Pilar (136), and Tudela (146).

Some 346 barangay workers in Malabuyoc also received the same as well as Alegria with 419, Badian with 534, and Moalboal with 322.

Budget officer Danilo Rodas said each of the barangay tanods and animal health aides received P1,500, and P2,400 each for health workers, nutrition scholars, and daycare workers.

The Capitol has set aside P50 million this year for the subsidy to volunteer frontline workers in the province.

COA disapproved the giving of cash incentives to barangay workers for lack of legal basis. According to COA, it did 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 Rodas said the province has already justified and settled the matter with the audit body.

In one of his interviews, Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega explained that the provision has been repealed by Sec. 3.2 and Sec 3.2.3.3 of the Department of Budget Management Circular 73, issued on January 10, 2001, which allows the granting of honoraria to frontline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...”

The series of distributions was led by Governor Hilario P. Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who are both seeking reelection in May 2016 elections.

Magpale explained that distribution of incentives is an annual affair to recognize and thank the barangay workers for their contribution in social services.

She said all workers in the barangays are expected to receive the cash incentives. The Provincial Information Office reminded those who failed to get their cash incentive to claim it at the Capitol.

In Malabuyoc, Mayor Narciso Creus welcomed the distribution of cash gift to the barangay workers in his town. His son Vice Mayor Junjun Creus and wife councilor Daisy Creus were also present during the event.

Creus supported Davide’s opponent then third district Congressman Pablo John Garcia in the 2013 election.

Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron thanked the provincial officials for the assistance not only for the cash incentives.

Cabaron also mentioned the projects funded by the Capitol in the barangays in his town. This includes water system, school buildings, senior citizen’s building, box culvert, among others.

The municipality also received Php 140 million road project from the national government. This was through the Department of Tourism-Department of Public Works and Highways Tourism Convergence Program. — (FREEMAN)