Mandaue buys lots of sodium lamps

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit has found out that the Mandaue City government last year purchased sodium lamps more than what was necessary.

It was learned that the city government purchased 700 sets of sodium lamp (250 W) sets in brackets amounting to P6,510,000 from FUMACO Inc. for the maintenance of the city's street lighting facilities.

Records show that 565 were issued to various local government offices in the city and in the barangays, while 135 sets, eight pieces of sodium lamp sets in bracket 250 watts and with casings, and one lamp (damage) were not distributed at all.

It was also found out that of the 135 brackets only 131 were actually counted with a difference of four brackets.

During the inventory conducted last February 11, it was learned from Amedello Saladaga, the stock clerk at the Department of General Services (DGS) that the brackets were only placed outside the building, making these susceptible through loss to theft and subjected to the elements and may deteriorate if this were not kept in a safe and covered place.

Saladaga said he has verbally ordered that the brackets be stored in a "bodega" but since the "bodega" was also used to store the electrical wirings, they decided to just place the brackets outside because according to one DGS personnel, brackets do not easily rust and will last even up to 15 years.

The state auditor said that with this assumption, the purchase of the whole set of sodium lamps with brackets, instead of by part or item has resulted in the unnecessary disbursements of government funds.

The state auditor found out during an ocular inspection in barangay Subangdaku that the arm brackets of the sodium lamps are already rusty and could not have been delivered but Engr. Jayme Basubas, the street lighting maintenance explained that in some areas were existing facilities are still usable they simply replaced the old unserviceable lamp headsets and kept the new arm brackets in stock for future use.

Basubas also explained that the four unaccounted brackets were utilized in installing old luminaries however, the records on issuances did not show the unaccounted four brackets.

With this, the state auditor recommended that the DGS should keep the brackets inside an enclosed area to prevent its loss from theft or deterioration due to various weather conditions.

The state auditor also wants the DGS to trace and investigate the circumstances of the four unaccounted brackets and subject officials and employees who are found liable to sanctions. (FREEMAN)