City Hall told to improve warehouse for inventories

By: Gerome Dalipe

STATE auditors called on the Iloilo City Government to speed up the renovation of its warehouse for the proper safekeeping of the inventories.

The Commission on Audit (COA), in its annual report, voiced concern over the possible waste of government properties if the City Hall will not refurbish the warehouse in the City Social Welfare Development Office.

“The continued delay in the renovation of the warehouse or storage will further expose the stored inventories to possible loss and may result in the wastage of government funds,” read the audit report.

Section 2 of Presidential Decree 1445, or the State Audit Code of the Philippines, aims at preventing possible loss or wastage of government properties.

Sec. 12 of PD 1445 provides that “all resources of the government shall be managed and safeguarded against loss or wastage through illegal or improper disposition, with a view to ensuring economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the operations of the government.”

In the report, the auditor said the warehouse or storage area was not refurbished to enhance its security from unauthorized access and suitability for the proper safekeeping of inventories.

The auditors conducted an ocular inspection of the City’s warehouse and storage and found that it was not yet smartened up to enhance its security from unauthorized access.

The City Hall has submitted a copy of the floor plan for the proposed renovation of the warehouse, and the program of work and detailed design to the Local Finance Committee last Jan. 4, 2017.

Likewise, the auditors said the City Social Welfare Development Office failed to submit its ordinance for the proposed budget to the Local Finance Committee.

The city treasurer informed the city mayor the P1.7-million plan for the building and other structures last May 17, 2019.

In the report, the auditors asked the City Hall to expedite the renovation of the warehouse or storage area for the safekeeping of inventories pursuant to the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.