COA questions CamSur’s P17.6-M gas expenses

MANILA, Philippines - The provincial government of Camarines Sur reportedly spent more than P17.6 million in gasoline expenses last year, posting a 58-percent increase in fuel spendings compared in 2011.

In a report released last week, The Commission on Audit (COA) said the increase by P6.4 million does not comply with a government policy to observe austerity and diligence in the use of public funds.

Records showed the high fuel expenses was allegedly caused by the governor’s frequent visits to the villages using his Ford Expedition, and three back up vehicles from January to November 2012.

The vehicles reportedly traveled simultaneously to the same barangays, each bearing only one passenger.

The COA said a garbage truck consumed 30 liters of fuel a day, or a total of 900 liters in a month just to dispose garbage from the capitol area and in the villages of Bagong Sirang and Curry in Pili town.

“Daily garbage disposal for these areas may be too often. Otherwise there would be no garbage to collect anymore, or if ever there was, it could not fill half of the truck,” state auditors noted.

The state auditors also found out that the drivers’ trip tickets were not pre-numbered and the speedometers of all vehicles were out of order.