CEBU CITY – The Commission on Audit (COA) has questioned the P20,000 given last year to each official and employee of the Cebu City government following the twin calamities – a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on October 15 and super typhoon Haiyan on November 8 – that affected Central Visayas, the Philippine News Agency reported.
In its report on Cebu City’s financial transactions last year, COA said the grant violated section 12 of Republic Act 6758 or the Salary Standardization Law, provisions of the Local Government Code and COA Circulars. It said the P20,000 in calamity assistance was given to 4,224 recipients.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wanted to give a Christmas bonus to city officials and employees last December, but because the expense would push the budget for personal services overboard, the grant was referred to as calamity assistance, according to reports.
The grant was approved by the City Council, but Councilors Margarita Osmeña and Lea Japson did not accept their share because they were not badly affected by the calamities.
Eugene Elizalde, head of the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence, the committee that recommended the grant, said the money would help hasten the recovery of employees who suffered from the calamities.
COA pointed out, however, that it was given without prior approval of the Office of the President as provided for under Administrative Order No. 37 dated November 21, 1998.
It also found out that the calamity financial assistance was not sourced or taken from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund or Calamity Fund, but charged against funds of the Office of the City Administrator and the transactions were recorded as donations.
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