Metro Manila (CNN
Philippines, June 30) — The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged
the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for failing to liquidate the travel
expenses made its personnel last year within the prescribed period.
The 2017 COA report said OVP
personnel spent ₱26.4 million on local trips and ₱953,550.75 for foreign trips. But, they were unable to file
liquidation reports on time.
"Cash advances (CAs) for
local official travels were not liquidated within 30 days upon return to
official station, while unused/excess cash advances were refunded even later
than the submission of the Liquidation Reports," the COA report read.\
Under the COA Circular No.
97-002, failure of a personnel to liquidate these advances may result in
the withholding of their salary.
"Neglect of management to
demand the immediate refund of unused/excess cash advances and the submission
of liquidation reports within the period prescribed renders inaccuracies in the
financial statements," COA said.
COA added delays in accounting
signifies lack of internal control and "may unnecessarily expose
government resources to risk of loss or misappropriation."
But in a statement, the OVP said
all cash advances have been fully liquidated.
"The OVP has instituted stricter
measures to prevent similar delays. Full details of these steps taken by the
OVP were communicated to COA in a letter sent in March 2018," a statement
from Undersecretary Boyet Dy said.
Dy said the letter has clearer
guidelines on the handling of cash advances and the withholding of compensation
for staff subject to full liquidation, consistent with COA's own
recommendations.
Source: CNN Philippines
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