‘Unnecessary procurement’: COA flags P1.3 million Liloan lechons

CEBU, Philippines — The municipal government of Liloan spent P1.357 million to buy 207 pieces of lechon for “team buildings, religious activities, founding anniversaries of private groups, graduation exercises, general assemblies, get-togethers, among others,” which state auditors deemed as irregular and unnecessary.

The Commission on Audit (COA), in its 2022 annual audit report for Liloan, said these purchases were contrary to the provisions of Republic Act 7160 and COA Circular No. 2012-003 dated October 29, 2012.

According to COA, the unnecessary procurements “deprived the constituents of projects or services that could have been derived from the use of the said funds.”

The municipal government was advised to refrain from incurring expenses for religious and private purposes and ensure that limited government resources are spent with “efficiency, economy, and effectiveness.”

Liloan Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco said they have already justified the expenses to COA. In fact, the town was issued an unqualified opinion by the commission.

Nevertheless, Frasco said he had already ordered to stop the granting of future requests for lechon in compliance with the recommendation of the government auditors.

“Kining mga lechon nga atong gi-purchase dili kini onetime, big time nga pagpalit. Sa sulod sa usa ka tuig, sa kadaghan nga aktibidades nga gipangulohan sa munisipyo, ang kantidad nga gigasto nato kung buot subayon gamay ra kini ikumpara sa kadaghan nga mga tawo nga naabot ug na sikop sa atong mga events and affairs,” Frasco said.

According to the mayor, Liloan is also known for having delicious lechon, a source of pride of the municipality, and patronizing it is one way of helping the lechoneros in the town to be exposed and get possible orders.

Frasco said the municipal government is doing its best that all of its expenses will result to more development and livelihood for its constituents.

COA also flagged municipal government’s practice of printing the names and images of previous and present town officials on the envelopes used in the distribution of cash assistance.

Such practice, according to COA, violates COA Circular No. 2013-004 dated January 30, 2013 and DILG MC No. 2010-101 dated September 23, 2010.

The municipal government is discouraged from displaying the names, initials, and images of government officials in the wrappers of any assistance granted to its constituents pursuant to COA Circular No. 2013-004 and DILG MC No. 2010-101.

Other significant audit observations noted by COA include the town’s disregard of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9184 or the procurement law in the conduct of Purok Capability Development and Sustainable Cebu Program Review and Benchmarking activities.

State auditors said the municipal government went ahead of the activities prior to the completion of the procurement process for the venue which has a Net Financial Contracting Capacity below the Approved Budget for the Contract of ?3.170 million.

COA also observed that the posting requirements for projects to notify the public of the programs, projects and activities (PPAs) of the municipality was not properly followed contrary to COA Circular No. 2013-004 dated January 30, 2013 and DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2010-101 dated September 23, 2010.

Another observation was the inability of the town to utilize the P3.4-million financial assistance it received, defeating the purpose for which the fund was granted.

According to COA, the municipal government also did not implement some of its recommendations in the previous annual audit reports. Out of the 26 audit recommendations in the prior years, only 13 were fully implemented, 9 were partially implemented, and 4 were not implemented at all. — (FREEMAN)