Unspent PHP26M 2016 LAF of Cebu PB Members Returned to Vice Gov’s Office

The Cebu Provincial Budget Office has returned to the Office of the Vice Governor the PHP26-million unspent legislative assistance fund (LAF) for this year.

Cebu Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas said the unspent PHP26 million of the PHP62.05-million LAF for 2016 was returned in compliance with the Commission on Audit (COA) order permanently disallowing the LAF to the vice governor and the Provincial Board (PB) members.

For 2015 and 2016, each PB member got PHP3.075 million in LAF, while the Office of the Vice Governor got PHP19 million.

Of the PHP62.05 million in LAF appropriated last year, only PHP1 million is unspent.

State Auditor Lolita A. Mercedes, in her audit observation memorandum (AOM), said the inclusion of the LAF for the vice governor and the PB members in the annual budget was not in conformity with Section 465 of the Local Government Code.

The LAF is similar to a congressman’s pork barrel, where each PB member gets PHP3.075 million each fiscal year to fund programs and projects in his or her districts.

It is used for financial assistance to other local government units, institutions and individuals.

Rodas said the LAF started around the same time the district representatives started getting their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

The Supreme Court declared the PDAF unconstitutional in late 2013. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS