COA reminds province on P24M cash advances

The Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the failure of some provincial government officials to submit liquidation of P24.6 million in cash advances.

In their Annual Audit Report (AAR), state auditors said some of these officials and employees were granted cash advances last year even if they still had pending unliquidated cash advances in previous years.

“We recommend that management institute appropriate sanctions pursuant to Section 9 of COA Circular No. 2012-004 against those employees whose cash advances as of December 31, 2011 remained unliquidated to date, despite final demand stated under Section 6 thereof,” the COA said.

The circular stated that failure to liquidate cash advances by the end of the year can be grounds for filing of malversation as well as administrative proceedings against them.

Suspension of salaries can also be imposed against the erring officials, they said.

Of that amount, about P17.7 million were advances made by officers and employees, dues from officers and employees (P5.1 million) and cash disbursing officers (P1.7 million).

The COA said P9.1 million of the unliquidated cash advances date as far back as 2011.

COA also said in its report that four different Capitol employees were still granted P1.9 million in cash advances last year.

These employees were identified as Rosalito Esgana, Rey Mariñas, Candida Omaña and Mercedita Coca.

Esgana said the money was used during the Palarong Pambansa in Tagum City, Davao last year.

“I’m processing it now. The money was used for honorarium and fare of the delegates among others. Some of the money was also used for our sportsfest in Capitol,” said Esgana, an administrative aide under the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).

Based on COA’s review, Esgana was granted P738,880 in December 2014 and another P991,640 in April 2015.

But as of end of last year, COA found out that he has only liquidated P693,285.02 of the cash advance he was granted in 2014.

Esgana said his yearend bonus last year was withheld by the provincial government due to his unliquidated cash advances.

COA also recommended to the provincial government to direct the provincial accountant to issue demand letters to the concerned officials and employees to already liquidate their cash advances.

The Provincial Accountant’s Office agreed to send final demand letters through the Provincial Legal Office to the concerned employees.

COA was also informed that the province did not release the bonus and other benefits of those with unsettled cash advances last year.