Auditors identify Lapu budget flaws

By Doris C. Bongcac

VARIOUS projects worth P385 million that were implemented since 2005 have not been turned over to the Lapu Lapu City government.

The Commission on Audit in Central Visayas (COA-7) said delays in the project turn over have “deprived the city of the projected benefits and income that can derived from them.”

“It is recommended that the Chief Executive should follow up the turn over of these priority projects. If the contractor is in default, impose sanctions like liquidated damages and penalties,” auditors said in their report of the city's finances for last year.

The auditors also noted lapses in sourcing funds worth P6 million which the Lapu Lapu City government spent in 2008 on three expenditures.

Among the questioned appropriations were the P2.8 million spent for the city's beautification program, the P2.9 million spent for janitorial supplies and the P391,590 allocated for the Sinulog Grand Festival expenses.

The audit report said the city's beautification program was funded from the P11.6 million released by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

It also noted that Sinulog expenses was charged to the Special Education Fund (SEF) even if the activity “did not fall within the priority expenses (for said appropriation).”

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Accountable officials concerned should be made answerable for these anomalies!