Despite COA warning, Capitol fails to slow down on food expense
Despite previous audit observation and official 'sentiments' raised against excessive meals at the Capitol, the Commission on Audit (COA) found themselves with similar findings in last year's food expenses of the Iloilo Provincial Government.
The food expense is even worse with the amount for last year covering only sample transactions reviewed in the period of six months. Previous audit reports covered 12 months of food expense.
"It appeared therefore that the Province of Iloilo had not minimized the expenses for food and catering services as recommended in last year's audit report," COA stated.
Amounting to P3,363,971.31, COA questioned anew food for guests and catering services in the Capitol including meals served in cultural celebrations for the period of January to July last year alone.
"Our analysis of the sample transactions disclosed deficiencies which were alike with the deficiencies noted in last year's audit findings," COA wrote.
For instance, mode of procurement were still done under "shopping" and "negotiated purchase." Cost of food ranging still from P240 to 412 per person found by government auditors to be "more than necessary."
The menu consisted of at least six to twelve courses and same problems with attendance sheets that reflected names of participants twice or thrice during the same day for the same occasion.
"Some signatures appeared to be signed by only one person with different stroke thus placing doubt on the authenticity of the handwriting. There was an instance wherein the date in the attendance sheet was different from the date when the celebration was conducted," the COA report continued.
There were even meetings held in the officials' residence as indicated in the purchase orders.
COA in calling for the Capitol's action wrote, "observe economy and austerity on expenses for food and entertainment of guests," it went.