Magpale bares list: Capitol payables now almost P1B

CEBU, Philippines - With only P81 millions in general funds, the Cebu provincial government is having problem settling its financial obligations now hovering around P1 billion.

Yesterday, acting governor Agnes Magpale showed the complete list of the Capitol payables, which have reached P900,998, 904.48 as of January 14.

The list showed the biggest payable is for the road projects amounting to P480,847,433.86, followed by building projects at P92,414,469.03 and construction equipments costing P85 million.

Included on the list are financial obligations to catering services that needed to be settled since 2006.

Magpale explained that they have been slowly paying the companies, saying that she is grateful that most of them have agreed to a staggered payment.

She said that they have initially paid Perfect Clean Services and LBP Services Corporation P5.7 million so as not to halt their medical operations, especially in district hospitals.

According to the list, the province is set to pay Perfect Clean P1,887,622.76 while LBP Services has P25,545,109.32 collectible from the provincial government.

Magpale said the two companies even agreed to extend services to the province for another two months.

Acting provincial treasurer Manny Guial admitted that it would take a long time to settle such a big amount, especially since there are still monthly operating expenses that need to be prioritized.

Garcia’s reaction

Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, on the other hand, questioned Magpale for having made an issue out of Capitol payables, especially on infrastructure projects.

Garcia said some infrastructure projects are paid in full upon completion.

She explained that since these projects go through various stages, some are still partially complete.

“Yes certainly if we are to list down airports alone, for Camotes and Bantayan that would be more over P120 million. The road asphalting project that is part of yearly budget, that’s hundreds of millions. The school buildings are constructed in various stages. If we just talk about projects awarded and contracts that have been signed and now consider them immediately as due and demandable, again, that would expose her ignorance.”

No need for debate

Magpale said that there is no need for a debate between her and Garcia.

“Unsa paman debate-un namo? Dia naman ni tanan. Unsa paman ato pruweba? Ma distract lang ta niana,” Magpale said

However, Provincial Board Peter John Calderon stressed that while it is true that payments for infrastructure projects would be made upon completion, there should have been funds set aside.

“Duna na unta funds gi-set for bayad for payment kay dili man gud ma bid if wala certification na naay available of funds,” Calderon said.

Calderon said that payment for these projects are taken from the development fund which, in 2012, had a budget of around P600 million.   At present, development fund has a balance of less than P5 million.

Magpale said that Garcia may call her ignorant on her financial claims, which is why she is presenting those who are knowledgeable on the matter like Guial.

Magpale said she knows for a fact that debts must be settled but admitted that there is problem about where the payment would be taken from.

“I don’t know unsaon nato pagbayad, bisan pa pila ka IRA mosulod,” she said.

Magpale, however, assured that the salaries for the Capitol employees would be released today despite the IRA not arriving on time.

She earlier announced that the salaries would be taken from the incoming IRA, which is expected to be delayed.

She said the salaries of the Capitol employees would come from the real estate taxes.

Sugbo TV

Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy said that they are looking into why the bills of Sugbo TV had reached P37 million last year.

He said that in 2011, the bills amounted to P22 million and P17 million the previous year.

“Dramatic kaayo and increase sa Sugbo TV and Sugbo news,” Sitoy said.

Meanwhile, tension erupted inside the office of Sugbo TV yesterday after its computers were taken by the Provincial General Services Office for an inventory.

Felix Lucabon Jr., a former reporter of Sugbo TV, questioned why their computers needed to be taken out of their office.

He said the computers were their responsibility as employees of the office.

According to Lucabon, the PGSO sent a letter to the Sugbo TV management last January 10.

The department head, who was on leave during that time, reportedly asked for the letter to be sent to her office yesterday.

But Lucabon said they were surprised that the actual inventory took place yesterday although the computers were returned to their office later in the afternoon.  —/LPM (FREEMAN)