23/08/2021
IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES?
Despite an unmodified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of the financial statements, the Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Department of Tourism over "irregular, unnecessary, excessive and extravagant expenditures".
"Disbursements in the amount of P2,278,623.70 contravened some of the existing government rules and regulations or deviated from the proper standard process/procedures on disbursements, as defined in COA Circular No. 2012-003 dated October 29, 2012, thus, casting doubts on the validity and propriety of the expenditures," the 2020 Annual Audit Report said.
The following disbursements were found "not adhering to pertinent laws, rules and regulations or without observing the appropriate standards, procedures and proper documentation to establish their propriety and validity":
• PhP 423,118.94 "excessive" payment of representation and accommodation expenses of the DOT Central Office (CO), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Regional Offices (ROs) I, VI and X.
• PhP 271,024.76 "unnecessary" payment of travelling expenses relative to cancelled flights of the DOT CO.
• PhP 24,480.00 "excessive" payment of registration fee for seminars conducted by non-government or private institution of the DOT CO.
• PhP 1,536,000.00 "extravagant" expenditure for the conduct of the Administrative Services Year-End Assessment and Strategic Planning & Assessment Workshop of the DOT CO and RO I.
• PhP 18,500.00 cellular phone load allowance "without any legal basis" of the RO VI.
• PhP 96,982.15 payment of expenses "not related/not in line" with the purpose of the cash advance granted of the RO X.
View the full 2020 Annual Audit Report here:
https://coa.gov.ph/index.php/national-government-agencies/2020/category/9128-department-of-tourism?download=48588:department-of-tourism