COA scores Capitol for P56.83-M unsettled education fund releases

By: Gerome Dalipe

SOME P56.83-million in public funds from the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the Iloilo Provincial Government remain unsettled last year.

In its annual audit report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said that regular monitoring and analysis of the SEF’s fund transfers were not conducted.

Such an act violated COA Circular 2016-005, which provides for the guidelines and procedures on the write-off of dormant receivables accounts, unliquidated cash advances and fund transfer.

Thus, the propriety and existence of the projects implemented thru the education funds were not validated, and demand was not made to liquidate outstanding for over one year.

In their report, the auditors recommended to the governor direct the Local School Board secretariat to coordinate with the Provincial Planning and Development Office Monitoring Division to validate all fund transfers from the SEF.

The provincial accountant is also tasked to reconcile their records with the implementing agencies.

This aims at properly adjusting the entries drawn and liquidation demanded, if warranted.

On the other hand, the auditors urged the governor to direct the planning and development officer to review and evaluate the P22-million proposed Pamana project.

This is to ensure that these projects respond to the peace and development issues identified to be existing in the conflict affected area.