COA: P1 million assets missing in Compostela

CEBU, Philippines -    In the absence of elected officials in the Municipality of Compostela, it is now the burden of the municipal treasurer to locate the missing government properties worth more than P1 million.

The Commission on Audit has asked the municipal treasurer Lorenzo Almodiel to locate the missing properties otherwise, he can be held secondarily liable for the missing assets.

Almodiel, however, could not also account for it because he is still serving his six months suspension meted against him by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas in June.

He was suspended because of his failure to submit the town’s statement of receipts and expenditures report.

During the physical count of the town’s office equipment, furniture and fixtures, IT equipment and software and other machineries last year, state auditors also found unserviceable assets amounting to P2.7 million.

In March 28, 2011, the municipality submitted the year-end trial balance for all funds but COA noted unreconciled difference of P1.1 million compared to their report on the physical count.

COA said the inventory report was incomplete and the items were not specified but were just described as steel cabinet, computer parts, copier machine, stand fan and typewriter.

“The worst thing, there were equipment described as ‘others’ and the costs were of significant amount,” the COA reported.

Most of the missing properties are those assigned in the office of the mayor like digital cameras, laptop and desktop computers, karaoke with CD player, digital copier, multi-media projector, sound system and kitchen equipment.

A hand tractor worth P200,000 assigned at the Municipal Agriculture Office was also missing.

COA ‘s review of the records maintained by the municipal accountant were incomplete just as the property cards maintained by the treasurer were not updated.

Aside from asking the treasurer to locate the missing properties, COA also required him to make an inventory and inspection report for the unserviceable assets and the accountant shall cause the transfer to other assets account.

The municipal accountant and treasurer are also required to reconcile their records.

Compostela has been under the watch of the Department of the Interior and Local Government since July 1, 2010 after the Commission on Elections annulled the proclamation of all elected officials in the town because of the election protest filed former mayor Ritchie Wagas who lost in the race to Mayor-elect Joel Quiño.

Wagas’ protest remains pending before the Comelec Second Division. — /FPL (FREEMAN)