Friday, April 5, 2013

Capitol releases P91.4M worth of assistance to barangays before election ban


THE Cebu Capitol last Tuesday processed 1,470 checks worth P91.38 million to be given to barangays in the Province.
Records at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office showed that 1,500 more checks were released yesterday to beat the March 27 election ban deadline.
There are 1,091 barangays in 51 municipalities and component cities in Cebu Province.
All local government units had until yesterday to distribute cash assistance.
Once the campaign period for the local elections begins at the end of this month, distribution of cash assistance, personnel movement and implementation of certain projects will not be allowed.
Acting Provincial Treasurer Emmanuel Guial was authorized by the Provincial Board last Monday to transact business with depository banks on behalf of Capitol.
Signature
The banks have already asked Guial for his signatures.
Former provincial treasurer Roy Salubre said correct procedure in the turnover of accountabilities must be followed before a change in bank signatories.
Lawyer Dara Acusar, spokesperson of Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale, said banks should call their attention if there is a problem in the change of signature.
She said that what is prohibited by law is the issuance, not the encashment of checks. So beneficiaries may claim and en-cash the check on later dates.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) supervisor Lionel Castellano agreed with Acusar, citing Comelec Resolution 9385.
Release
Guial expected the release of all checks and salaries of all Capitol employees yesterday.
Guial replaced Salubre following his dismissal by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 7 Director Carmelane Tugas. BLGF 7 designated Guial as provincial treasurer.
Salubre said the correct procedure is that there must be a formal or turnover of accountabilities from the outgoing to the incoming treasurer.
After the transfer of accountabilities, they will wait for the regional special personnel order (RSPO) coming from BLGF.
Due to time constraints, BLGF will only be available on Monday to facilitate the formal transfer of accountabilities.
“There is supposed to be an RSPO to go with it,” said Salubre, referring to the document that would go with the PB resolution giving authority to the new bank signatory.
Acusar said BLGF has authorized Guial to assume the post of provincial treasurer in acting capacity. Also, PB members already authorized Guial to transact with the banks on behalf of Capitol.
Since the banks did not call their attention, Acusar believes everything is in order.