Tudela councilman questions “irregularities” in transactions

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay councilman in Calmante, Tudela, Camotes Island aired his grief before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas on the alleged irregularities in the transactions made by his fellow officials.

Councilor Arles Labayan, a former broadcaster, requested the anti-graft office to conduct fact-finding investigation and appropriate actions on the transactions which he believes to be malicious and highly irregular in connection with the implementation of various projects.

He submitted photocopies of some documents such as official receipts, accomplished canvass forms, and others.

Labayan alleged that the replacement of basketball board from plywood to fiber glass with rings and nets in barangay proper was overpriced and without an approved resolution.

There are road concreting projects implemented by phases allegedly to deviate from public bidding.

He also alleged that the cement used was overpriced from P235 per bag to P280 per bag while deformed bars were specified in the program of works but none has been embedded as matting in the road concreting projects.

Labayan also revealed the allegedly anomalous implementation  of  barangay waterworks system near a piggery and about five to ten meters from a septic tank in sitio Tambaco-ong in the said barangay having a budget of more than P80,000 but the project cost is only P40,000 which remains non-operational until now.

There are also projects allegedly implemented in private lots without resolution from the council authorizing the barangay captain to enter into a contract.

These include the construction of a day care center in sitio Tambaco-ong which is funded by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the construction of a solar dryer.

Labayan also questioned if the barangay secretary can act as canvasser of the materials to be purchased and at the same time act as secretary to the Bids and Awards Committee.

He further asked if projects can be implemented before all supporting documents are completed. MIT (FREEMAN)