NGOs in Antique have P14.07M unsettled cash advances – COA

By: Gerome Dalipe

SEVERAL non-government and people’s organizations have to settle their cash advances amounting to about P14.07-million in the past seven years, government auditors discovered.

In its annual report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said that some 91 grants have been outstanding in the books of the Antique Provincial Government as of Dec. 31, 2018.

“Non-submission of liquidation documents casts doubt as to whether the funds were properly utilized in the implementation of the projects,” read the COA report.

Sec. 5.4 of COA Circular 2007-001 provides that the non-government organizations and people’s organizations within 60 days after the completion of the projects.

Local government units are mandated by Section 34 of the Local Government Code to promote the establishment and operation of people’s and non-governmental organizations to become active partners in the pursuit of local autonomy.

The Antique Provincial Government has released funds to national government organizations and people’s groups mainly as financial assistance to the activities and operations.

These activities include livelihood projects, training programs, and sports development environmental advocacies, among others.

The auditors examined the supporting documents of Capitol’s transaction showed the terms of reference contained in the memorandum of agreement.

These stipulations are needed for proper implementation, management and monitoring of the projects.

“Considering that the average age of the unliquidated grants are more than seven years, it can be inferred that most of the projects are already completed and that full liquidation should have already been made,” read the COA report.

In the report, the auditor urged the governor to the personnel-in-charge to regularly monitor the project implementation of the recipient

The Provincial Legal Officer is also urged to institute necessary actions that would compel the non-government organizations and public groups to submit complete liquidation documents on the funds transferred to them.