COA Calls Attention of Cebu Capitol for Selling PHP214M Worth of Land Sans

The Commission on Audit (COA) has called the attention of the Cebu Provincial Government for selling 6.8 hectares of land for PHP214 million without the state auditors’ approval.

But Cebu Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said the provincial government has taken steps to review the COA audit observation memorandum to identify concerned officials in the previous administration to ask them to explain on the COA observations and to submit documents.

Tolentino also vowed to comply with the COA’s requirement when disposing province-owned real properties.

In its 2015 report, COA noted the sale of Cebu Capitol’s 20 parcels of land.

Of the 20 parcels of land, 10 were part of the province’s socialized housing program under Ordinance 93-1 that were sold in 2012.

The remaining lots were sold to individuals.

But COA reported that some of these lots were sold way back in 2002.

The state auditors, though, failed to explain why it only pointed out the discrepancy in 2002 in their 2015 audit report.

Section 380 of Republic Act 7160, or Local Government Code of the Philippines states that disposal of government-owned lots should have the approval of COA regardless of the value or cost involved. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS