OWWA asked to account for P107.9-million cash advances

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) is calling on the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to liquidate P107.9 million in cash advances that were granted to its officials and employees in 2010 and previous years.

State auditors said the failure of concerned officials to settle their financial obligations may not only result to administrative sanctions but also the risk of loss, misplacement or destruction of documents and information needed to support its liquidation.

“Failure to liquidate cash advances within the prescribed period shall constitute a valid cause for withholding the salary and the institution of other sanctions,” COA reminded OWWA.

As of Dec. 31, OWWA’s financial statements show a total of P99,814,515 in unliquidated cash advances for its head office and P8,096,875 in different regional welfare offices (RWOs). 

“It was noted in the audit of liquidation reports that most accountable officers did not liquidate within the prescribed period, resulting in the accumulation of the same. In RWOs, on the other hand, the cash advances were, likewise, not liquidated within the prescribed period,” COA said.

“We recommend that management exert extra effort to remind the accountable officers to liquidate their cash advances within the prescribed period,” it said.

The OWWA for its part said it has sent notices to all concerned officers and employees. It also gave assurance that no payment of claims will be made unless employees have settled their unliquidated advances.