2 offices in City Hall told to explain "unclear reports" in Book of Accounts

CEBU, Philippines – The committee on budget and finance of the City Council wants the office of the city accountant and the general services department to shed light on “unclear reports” in last year’s Books of Accounts amounting to over P166 million.

Councilor Jose Daluz, the committee chairman, said in his report that the account “Due from Officers and Employees” as of June 30 amounting to P39,249,750 was relatively high.

The committee made its observations after going through the Trial Balances, Balance Sheets, and Statements of Income and Expenses for the months of April, May, and June.

“The Committee finds it necessary for the City Accounting Office to shed light on this particular account and to provide information what action was undertaken in order for the concerned officials and employees to submit their liquidation of the funds received,” the report says.

The committee also said that in the same period, the “Gasoline, Oil and Lubricants Inventory” ballooned to P127 million.

This particular account, Daluz said could either confuse or mislead the people that the city government has so much gasoline, oil and lubricants in stack.

Daluz said the officials and employees concerned failed to submit their liquidation and utilization report, which may affect future transactions.

Daluz, however clarified, that these amounts are not irregular and are but “lapses in reporting.”

“These are merely lapses in reporting considering that a lot of things had already happened in a span of seven months,” Daluz said.

Accounting books are being audited in a yearly basis. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)