For the 2nd time, DBM nixes SARO for Negros Oriental

CEBU, Philippines - For the second time in a row, the provincial government was issued a negative Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), first, on the controversial P961 million calamity fund late last year and this year a negative SARO for the P100 million upgrading project for health facilities in the province.

Governor Roel Degamo lambasted what he considered as another attempt by politicians close to Malacañang to pressure or influence agencies in government to stop the flow of funds to the province.

The governor said the withdrawal of the P100-million DOH facilities upgrading program was done without stating the reasons, and this will direly affect the construction of the Central Block building and the acquisition of a centralized oxygen system and other modern equipment, among others.

Degamo believed the action of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in withdrawing the fund allocation violated an existing memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between the provincial government and DOH director Jaime Bernadas. The MOA stated that the schedule of funds, covered by the sub-allotment advice (SAA), must be utilized by December this year.

With less than two weeks left before the year ends, the governor said the DBM action has some hidden agenda, prompting him to inquire from the agency on what could have caused the withdrawal.

Provincial Attorney Richard Inojo said it was "a very scandalous withdrawal" because the SAA was issued as early as May 2013 in connection with the department's own initiative upon seeing the need to really upgrade the health facilities in the province, resulting in the approval of the MOA.

Inojo argued that, granting that defects were found in the MOA, the most reasonable action to do was for the DBM to communicate with the provincial government and require it to make the amendments, which the LGU can readily comply. — (FREEMAN)