Capitol payables cut by half

CEBU, Philippines - Four months after acting Governor Agnes Magpale announced that the Provincial Government has payables of close to P1 billion, she revealed yesterday that she has settled more than half of the amount.

With a sigh of relief, Magpale said yesterday that Capitol only has pending payables of more than P200 million and its general funds has around P350 million.

In January this year, Magpale announced that Capitol only had P81 million left in its general funds but had pending obligations of more than P900 million.

Acting Provincial Treasurer Manny Guial told The FREEMAN that in the treasurer’s office, there are vouchers worth more than P200 million.

But he said that as reported to Magpale and Governor-elect Hilario “Junjun” Davide III in a meeting last week, there could be payables in other offices that were not yet forwarded to his office yet.

He added Capitol was able to cut down the payables by more than half because they only have minimal expenses in the past months.

But Magpale explained that the more than P200 million payables do not include contracts that did not go through proper bidding process like the P267 million contract with Duros Development Corporation.

As stressed earlier, Magpale said that they would not be paying contracts that did not go through the appropriate process and did not have the authority of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

Meanwhile, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) assured they have enough stocks to be distributed to the municipalities and cities that may be affected by the rainy season.

PSWDO Officer-in-charge Evelyn Senajon said they have ordered just enough goods for all the towns and cities.

Earlier this year, inventory done by the Provincial General Services Office showed that there might have been an over procurement of goods since boxes of noodles were yet to be distributed but was nearing its expiration date.

But PSWDO head Marivic Garces, who was already transferred to the Integrated Provincial Health Office, denied this saying the noodles were to be distributed but was put on hold because of the tension in the Capitol following the suspension of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Also, Senajon said they have initially released school supplies like pencils, sharpeners, erasers and bags to Day Care Centers in the Province and they are just waiting for the go signal to distribute the notebooks that bear photos of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and other officials. — (FREEMAN)