Realignment of P30M Danao aid blocked

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board has blocked the realignment of P30 million in financial assistance from the Capitol originally intended for the rehabilitation of water distribution pipes in Barangay Poblacion, Danao City.

Ex-officio board member, Danao City councilor Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca who heads the Philippine Councilors League-Cebu Chapter, brought up to the PB the alleged illegal disbursement of funds committed by her uncle, Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr.

On Mar. 9, 2010, suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia released P30 million charged under the Capital Outlay of the province upon the request of the city officials led by Meca’s father, former mayor and incumbent Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III.

Since then the project was not implemented as reported by the Commission on Audit as of 2011.

On July 6, 2012, Mayor Boy Durano requested the realignment of the P30 million for different purposes other than the original purpose.

Garcia approved the realignment of P15 million as indicated in the undated Project Justification prompting the city council led by Vice Mayor Nito Durano to ask for a legal opinion from COA last Sept. 4, 2012.

On Nov. 9, 2012, COA-7 Regional Director Sabiniano Cabatuan opined that the realignment was improper and illegal on the ground that the financial assistance was in the nature of a trust fund.

Acting Governor Agnes Magpale, in a memorandum dated last February 14, directed Mayor Durano and other city officials to refrain from disbursing the funds for other purposes.

Meca reported that just last week, P2.9 million was again released for the sanitation and street cleaning program.           She said that the defiance of Mayor Durano and other officials to the order of Magpale apparently would constitute graft and corruption.

PB Member Sun Shimura suggested to have the other P15 million disallowed for realignment since a portion of the other P15 million was already spent.

But Meca said that there is a need to ensure that the funds are spent for legal and valid purposes only as the disbursement was not even stated in the project justification.

Board Member Wilfredo Caminero also noted that the approval of Garcia in the realignment was questionable.

Aside from the blocking the realignment of funds, the PB, in a resolution sponsored by Meca, also called on a speedy investigation on the matter to determine and identify the officials who may be accountable and liable for the alleged illegal disbursement.

A copy of the said resolution will be submitted to COA and Landbank of the Philippines, the depository bank of the Danao City government.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)