Red tape in funds release dismays brgy officials

CEBU, Philippines - City Hall officials announced yesterday that several barangays did not spend their calamity budgets despite several calamities affecting various barangays here.

This is reportedly because of the difficulty in the submission of documents that would support utilization of the calamity fund. The fund is equivalent to five percent of a barangay’s overall annual budget.

This concern prompted City Hall to meet the barangay officials yesterday so they could channel their questions straight to Assistant City Accountant Diwa Cuevas.

One barangay official questioned why the accounting office cannot give all the requirements all at once.

“Kon duna kamo’y requirement tinguba sa paghatag ayaw ianam-anam. Ang nahitabo kay dihang natuman na namo ang anaa sa check lists, lain na usab ang mga requirements nga gipakuha,” the official said.

Capitol Site Barangay Captain Manuel Guanzon himself expressed disappointment of the seemingly sluggishness on the part of the city accounting office in attending to their documents for pre-audit.

Cuevas, for her part, asked the barangay officials to understand their situation. She said they are only being extra cautious. “Magbantay g’yud mi kay basin og magpataka lang mi pag-approve mapriso unya mi,” she said.

A staff member of the accounting office said part of the problem lies with some barangay treasurers that do not have a background in financial matters.

“If you want a solution to the problem, solve your problem also. Sulbara usa kanang inyong problema,” he said.

Another barangay official suggested that the accounting office assigned personnel who can focus on reviewing the documents from the barangays.

Alvin Santillana, executive officer of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, distributed draft copies for barangay resolutions that would guide barangay officials in declaring a place under a state of calamity.

The purpose of the declaration is for the barangay to use the calamity budget. Thirty percent of the budget t is for lump sum appropriation for quick response fund while the rest is for calamity-preparedness. (FREEMAN)