City Hall supports financial disclosure policy

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City officials support the full disclosure of all financial transactions of the Local Government Units as ordered by the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

City administrator Jose Mari Poblete said Mayor Michael Rama’s administration is willing to disclose all its financial transactions to the public for the sake of transparency.

Although he did not receive a copy of the memorandum yet but Poblete said the city supports it.

Secretary Jesse Robredo requires all LGUs to make full disclosure of their financial transactions as provided for under Section 90 of the Republic Act 10147 or the General Appropriations Act of 2011.

Failure to adhere to the policy would warrant administrative sanctions against the local chief executives or their subordinate officials.

The full disclosure policy requires the LGUs to post their budgets and finances, bids and public offerings in government websites, newspapers of general circulation, and in other conspicuous and appropriate places.

 “This is a big step towards ensuring that government resources are used responsibly and for the right purpose,” read Robredo’s memorandum.

In his directive to all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, presiding officers of local legislative councils Robredo said that non-compliance with the full disclosure policy may subject concerned local officials to suspension or removal from office on the ground of gross negligence or dereliction of duty.

According to Robredo, “We want to strictly adhere with the full disclosure policy because we want to uphold transparency and accountability in government and it is in keeping with President Aquino’s principles on good governance.”

The Commission on Audit (COA) had also issued a memorandum for the local chief executives for the strict compliance of the full disclosure policy and considers it as among the requirements in the auditing process.

The documents and transactions that are required to be posted by LGUs include the Annual Budget Report, Quarterly Statement of Cash Flows, Statement of Receipts and Expenditures, Trust Fund (PDAF) Utilization, Quarterly Report of SEF (Special Education Fund) Utilization, and 20% Component of the IRA Utilization, among others.

Because some LGUs still do not have their own websites, Robredo instructed them to post the required information on the website of the DILG regional office in their respective areas. (FREEMAN)