01 July 2017
A story in inquirer.net (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/909943/coa-ovp-underspent-2016-budget) says according to a Commission on Audit (COA) report, the Office of Vice President spent only P130.7 million of its P220 million budget for financial assistance to the poor in 2016. Of the P130.7 million, P93.8 million was spent by Leni from July 1, after she assumed office,to Dec. 31.
Issue No. 1 – So how much did Leni ACTUALLY
SPEND for financial assistance to the poor, and where are the records? Is the P89,269,117.24
balance of the P220 million STILL INTACT? Supporting documents please!
The OVP’s Public Assistance Division (PAD) said
from July 1 to 31, the office provided medical and burial assistance to 10,892
beneficiaries. But the COA said “had the balance of P89,269,117.24 been
utilized for medical assistance, using the maximum amount of P25,000 per
request, OVP could have already assisted or sent at least 3,500 cancer patients
to chemotherapy sessions or in case of the minimum P3,000 burial services, OVP
could have supported additional 29,000 burials.” The PAD told COA auditors that
completing technical requirements, shortage in manpower, the transition or
adjustment period and geographical limitations (those in the provinces must
still travel to the OVP in Quezon City) were some of the problems then
encountered.
Issue No. 2: Has anything been done to correct
or ease these problems? If yes, what? If no, why?
Cash advances totaling P185,826.74 were not
settled within the period prescribed by COA. A total of P73,484.08 in cash advance
to JUST ONE OFFICER for foreign travel remained unliquidated as of Dec. 31.
Last Jan. 19, a demand letter was sent to the officer but “no response has been
received from her.” COA also uncovered claims
for meal expenses during officials travels totaling P103,844, which is in in excess of the allowed P800 daily travel
allowance and without the requisite certification from the head of agency that
the expenses were absolutely necessary. There
were also delays from two to 68 working days, in the submission of documents
for audit.
Issue No. 3: WHAT HAS LENI BEEN DOING about all
these? Let’s see how PRO-POOR OR PRO-PEOPLE
and HIOW DESERVING SHE IS AS A LEADER. 30
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