COA spots deficiencies in Toledo spending

CEBU, Philippines - Deficiencies were found in the spending of P5.7 million for gasoline, oil and lubricants in Toledo City in 2013.

In its 2013 audit report, COA noticed that drivers’ trip tickets supporting the payments were not accomplished properly and lacked the necessary information, thus, monitoring of fuel consumption to minimize wasteful, excessive and unnecessary expenditures for government vehicles could not be facilitated.

 COA said examination on test basis of the drivers’ trip tickets disclosed that names of passengers were not indicated nor were the signatures affixed in the space provided.

 The specific purpose of the trip was also not stated nor was the purpose specific (some trip tickets only indicate “Public Purpose” or “Official Business”); driver’s trip tickets were not serially numbered; the odometer readings at the beginning and end of the trip were not reflected; and the point of origin and point of destination was not specified for those with defective odometers.

 â€œThe accurate and complete presentation of the above stated data in the drivers’ trip tickets is an effective means of determining whether the trips are for personal or official purposes,” the audit report reads.

 COA stressed that indicating the odometer reading, when functioning, is a helpful tool in determining the distance traveled at any given time. Likewise, the determination of the distance traveled would ascertain the reasonableness of fuel consumed.

 â€œIn instances when the odometer is not functioning, it is necessary to indicate the point of origin and point of destination to facilitate computation of the distance traveled,” it stated further.

 The city government has acknowledged the deficiencies and committed to adopt the recommendations to rectify deficiencies.

 COA recommended the city to require the submission of duly filled-up drivers’ trip tickets to support the payments of P5.7 million otherwise, the payments thereof shall be disallowed.

 COA Circular No. 77-61 dated September 26, 1977 prescribes the use of the Manual on Audit of Fuel Consumption of Government Vehicles in order to minimize wasteful, excessive and unnecessary expenditures for fuel consumption in line with the government concern and efforts to ensure the effective conservation of energy and proper utilization of government motor transportation.

 It further recommended that the city government shall strictly enforce complete and proper accomplishment of drivers’ trip tickets to support payments of gasoline, oil and lubricants to minimize wasteful, excessive and unnecessary expenditures for fuel consumption. — (FREEMAN)