The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Department of Tourism (DOT) for spending nearly P6.7 million for hotel accommodations, gift checks and tour packages for its employees.
In its 2019 annual audit report, COA called the DOT’s expenses “extravagant and unnecessary.” They also violated laws and lacked documentation to justify their validity.
State auditors found that officials from the DOT’s central office, CAR, IV-B, and VII exceeded the standard accommodation expenses by availing the maximum amount for room charges amounting to P277,931.54.
Meanwhile, an amount of P78,600 was spent on renting the highest cost of SUVs when a simple sedan or an AUV can accommodate the roads being traversed.
During a participatory learning activity of the agency, they spent P89,900 in an unnecessary and unrelated visit to Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Maquinit Hot Spring.
Upon further review of records, COA found unliquidated gift checks worth P3,579,665 that were allegedly distributed to tourism private persons. The gift checks were considered illegal since the distribution did not follow proper guidelines.
COA tasked DOT to review and take necessary action on these issues. Furthermore, the audit advised DOT to bear in mind to use public funds prudently to prevent misspending.
Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
No comments:
Post a Comment