Cebu board gets strict on NGO accreditation

CEBU — The provincial board has passed on first reading an ordinance setting new requirements in the accreditation of non-government organizations and people’s organizations.

Provincial board member Victor Maambong, head of the committee on accreditation, sponsored the ordinance based on the recommendations of the ad hoc panel earlier created by the board to review the requirements in accrediting NGOs and POs following the Perdido Lex controversy.

The five-man panel recommended that on top of the required financial statement and proof of track record under the Commission on Audit circular, the personal data sheet, including pictures, of responsible officers of NGOs and POs to be accredited shall also be required.

The panel also required the appearance of at least three officers while the provincial board is taking up the accreditation report, a barangay certification attesting that the NGO/PO is holding its principal office within the barangay, and the authenticated identification cards of its responsible officers such as driver’s and professional licenses and voter’s ID.

The laxity in NGO accreditation requirements allowed the Perdido Lex foundation to allegedly defraud the provincial government at least P5 million. — Freeman News Service