SBMA slammed for overspending on seminars

MANILA, Philippines -   Officials and employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) spent excessive amounts of government funds for meals and hotel accommodations during three seminar-workshops last year, the Commission on Audit (COA) said.

In a report released last week, the COA said the government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) headed by Roberto Garcia should exercise prudence in handling its funds.

State auditors said the cost of workshops conducted in January, February and September last year were excessive.

The report said the meals served to participants in the January and February workshops cost P273,550, while the meals during the September seminar cost P76,500 for 90 persons. The amounts did not include hotel expenses for each delegate.

State auditors said excessive expenditures “signify unreasonable expense or expenses incurred at an immoderate quantity and exorbitant price.”

“It also includes expenses which exceed what is usual or proper as well as expenses which are unreasonably high, and beyond just measure or amount. They also include expenses in excess of reasonable limits,” the audit team said.

The COA said that under Executive Order No. 298, government personnel on official travel is entitled to P400 lodging and P80 meal allowance only for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

The audit team said the National Budget Circular No. 486 capped a ceiling for registration fee and related expenses of a government employee attending symposiums, conferences, seminars or similar gatherings at only P1,200 per day. 

State auditors said the SBMA management should have observed care and concern in the disbursement of its funds.