Perks of Davao water firm’s execs probed

DAVAO CITY — The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered a review of the huge allowances and other benefits reportedly being enjoyed by the board members of the Davao City Water District (DCWD).

Several sectors, including city councilors and officials of homeowners’ associations, have complained about the DCWD executives’ perks.

The councilors have asked the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a separate investigation into the alleged irregularity.

Eugenio Fernandez, COA’s Southern Mindanao director, has created a four-man panel to audit the allowances, cash advances and other expenditures of the DSWD’s directors and other personnel.

The COA team was given 10 days from May 20 to complete its report and another five days to submit its findings.

The DCWD’s board members are reportedly receiving as much as P3,000 per diem per meeting, or P12,000 a month; P2,100 representation allowance; P15,000 emergency and miscellaneous allowance; P4,000 annual uniform allowance; and at least P70,000 in medical and dental expenses per year.

They are also reportedly receiving a separate P98,000 as annual financial assistance; P64,000 in mid-year and yearend bonuses, and one sack of rice a month.