Stiffer rules result to fewer city-accredited NGOs, POs

CEBU, Philippines - Due to the pork barrel scandal, the Cebu City government has imposed more stringent accreditation requirements for non-government organizations and private organizations, resulting to a fewer number of groups compared to previous years. 

The city is also only accepting a maximum of 56 NGOs and POs for a three-term period to avail of a financial assistance of not more than P500,000 in an allocation of P10 million annually.

The organization would have to shell out a 10-percent counterpart, depending on its financial assets.

City Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairman of the committee on accreditation, evaluation, and monitoring board, said only 34 NGOs and POs have been accredited by the city this year compared to 80 last year.

The 34 include Cebu Zonta Club Foundation Inc, Boy Scout of the Philippines Multi-Purpose Cooperative, C-Cimpel, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Golden Center of Cebu Inc, Legal Alternatives for Women Center Inc, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, NEWSCOOP, Mag-uugmad Foundation, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., among others.

Andales said the city has imposed more rigid requirements for NGOs and POs following the pork barrel scandal that has rocked Philippine congress and resulted to the arrest of three senators.

One requirement is a certification of good standing from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Meanwhile, the new applicants are required to submit certification of good standing from Cooperative Development Authority and annual accomplishment reports. 

NGOs and POs seeking accreditation should also have existed for at least three years in Cebu from the date of incorporation.

They must also submit a financial statement with net asset of P20,000 or less must be signed by the treasurer, then duly approved by the internal auditor and must be duly notarized. For groups with more than the said amount, they must be audited by an independent certified public accountant.

“This is only a precautionary measure to avoid what happened to NGOs/POs involved in the Priority Development Assistant Fund scandal,” Andales said.

The pork barrel scandal involves P10 billion in priority development fund of Philippine national legislators allegedly going to bogus NGOs and POs.

Andales said that learning from the fiasco, Cebu City Hall has started strictly screening all NGOs and POs it accredits for “transparency and accountability” purposes.

“We want to be certain that these NGOs and POs are really genuine,” he said.

In an interview, City Planning and Development Office Assistant Head Oscar Abordo said they were surprised as to low number of organizations that sought accreditation.

“So far karon pa gyud ni nahitabo gumikan sa compliance sa requirements nga lisod,” he said.

The office is in-charge in assessing the projects and programs implemented and established by the accredited NGOs and POs.  (FREEMAN)