BASCO, Batanes, Philippines – The provincial governor and four of his top ranking officials have been directed to refund or settle immediately at least P.996 million in disallowances.
In a recent letter to Gov. Telesforo Castillejos, State Auditor Reynaldo Dalafu said that the Commission on Audit has looked into the disbursement transactions of the province and have disallowed several of these.
Among these disallowances, Dalafu said are the travel to Taiwan of 12 officials last year.
Dalafu, further noted that while the Department of Interior and Local Government Acting Secretary Austere Panadero authorized the foreign travel, she made it clear in her memorandum that “no expenses shall be borne by the provincial government in connection with the travel herein authorized.”
“And yet, despite this clear instructions of the DILG, the 12 officials headed by Castillejos, were able to claim P56,580 each as travel expense,” Dalafu told The Star.
Another important item in the disallowed transactions was the allocation of P287,727.80 which was used to purchase meals and snacks during the July 1, 2007 inaugural program and oath taking activities of Castillejos and other elective officials.
“The activity could have been undertaken without incurring such huge expenses charged against government funds. This was excessive or extravagance to say the least,” Dalafu added.
Aside from Castillejos, the other officials identified by Dalafu as liable are: Jessica Salamagos, provincial human resource officer; Serafin Valiente, provincial budget officer; Juanito Abengana, provincial treasurer; and Felix Lechuga, provincial accountant. – Jack Castaño