City vows to comply with COA in 15 days

CEBU, Philippines – Concerned Cebu City government officials involved in the findings of the Commission on Audit in its recently released 2009 Annual Audit Report vowed to comply with all recommendations within 15 working days starting yesterday.

This was agreed during a meeting arranged by Mayor Michael Rama yesterday morning so the findings of state auditors will be immediately acted upon to clear the name of the city government.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said that the COA findings were more on procedural flaws in some transactions but it has no findings that insinuate corruption among departments or officials which they consider as a pleasant development.

Poblete said that COA audits the local government units in two areas -its compliance with public procedures and practices and the possible commitment of graft and corruption.

"It's more on procedural, no connotation of graft and corruption. Tungod lang siguro emergency so naa'y wala matuman. But we will correct all of these," Poblete said.

After complying with all the recommendations, Poblete said that they will meet again to draft policies to avoid the repetition of the same mistakes in the future.

"Nagsabot mi na after mahimuan og comment, we will device necessary policies," he said.

However, Poblete said there are some things that might take time before they can resolve these with the COA.

The comment of COA regarding the P1-million financial assistance to judges placed under the Local Government Unit-Judiciary Equalization Fund, which COA found to be an unnecessary expenses, needs a careful study.

Poblete said that the mayor already referred the matter to the city attorney.

The city attorney shall check on the legality of withdrawing it as advised by COA.

"We cannot just cancel that kay naa man gud na'y MOA (Memorandum of Agreement). Whatever the city legal office will recommend, we shall follow. Anyway, it's just an advice from COA but it does not mean we did something illegal," Poblete said.

COA said that the city does not have to grant allowance to judges who are not assigned in Cebu City. (FREEMAN)