Only 4 city barangays heed COA order

CEBU, Philippines – Only four barangays in Cebu City have complied with the Commission on Audit's order to submit the records of their transactions since 2007.

City accounting financial control division chief Agnes Tabares said only the honoraria of the officials from these barangays, T. Padilla, Cogon-Ramos, Carreta and Mabolo, will be released.

The remaining 76 barangays in Cebu City will remain on hold because of the order from state auditor Eva Cabrera.

"So far, sa among records, kani pa gyud upat ka-barangays ang naka-comply sa tanan," Tabares said.

She however said that there were barangay treasurers who already submitted their reports but still subject for verification.

Cabrera earlier asked to withhold the September honoraria of barangay officials particularly the captains and treasurers pending their submission of the vouchers and financial reports supporting their transactions from 2007 to 2009.

Cabrera, who assumed as city auditor early this year, checked the records of the barangays and discovered that they cannot determine "the propriety, validity, authentic-ity and legality" of the barangays' transactions for lack of supporting documents.

Cabrera reminded the officials of the barangays especially the treasurers that all financial transactions entrusted to them shall be submitted to the city accountant for recording in the journal.

Some barangays complained that they fail to satisfy the COA's requirements because the city accounting requirements vary. They said that it takes a long time to proc-ess their transactions.

Mayor Michael Rama instructed the barangay officials to immediately work out the deficiencies and discuss the matter with COA and the City Accounting Office to avoid suspension of the release of their honoraria. (FREEMAN)