COA asks Argao consultants to refund incentives

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) has asked the ten consultants of the local government of Argao to refund the P10,000 each they received as productivity enhancement incentives in 2011.

COA also found out that the said consultants were not performing work or activities which is highly technical in nature but duplicated the functions of some regular and casual employees.

The audit report noted that in the contract, the works performed by the consultants were not highly technical in nature and their duties and responsibilities did not reconcile with their actual accomplishments.

"These circumstances cast doubts on the necessity of hiring the consultants," the audit report read.

The local government of Argao justified that they were hiring contractual employees but not consultants as evidenced by the contracts of services signed by Mayor Edsel Galeos and the personnel concerned.

COA's perusal of contracts on file  revealed that the personnel concerned performed work not performed by regular employees of the LGU.

"Further, the job descriptions enumerated in the contracts were consistent with the definition of consultancy services pursuant to Section 5(I) of Republic Act 9184," the report said.

Section 5(I) of RA 9184 defines consultancy services as services for infrastructure projects or activities of the government requiring adequate external technical and professional expertise that are beyond the capability and/or capacity of the government to undertake such as but not limited to: a.) advisory and review services b.) pre-investment or feasibility study c.) design d.) construction supervision e.) management and related services f.) other technical or special studies.

COA has advised the local government to limit the hiring of consultants to undertake only the work or activities which is highly technical in nature and should be carefully assessed as to necessity or whether the responsibilities assigned do not duplicate those of regular or casual employees to prevent unnecessary and excessive expenditures.

Meanwhile, the ten consultants were also asked to refund the productivity enhancement incentive claimed.

"Otherwise, municipal officials and employees responsible for the payment thereof shall be considered personally liable for the illegal disbursements," COA said.

The claimants were identified as Danilo Jumao-as, Arnold Tecson, Kristine Llesol, Vip Semilla, Engracia Birondo, Ginalin Sayson, Mark Carabio, Vidal Villamor Jr., Dorothy Sarmago and Albino Villacora.

The COA said that their contract of service provides that there exists no employer-employee relationship between the two parties, that the services rendered are not considered as government service; and that the latter is not entitled to benefits enjoyed by regular personnel.-(FREEMAN)