COA disallows P6.1M in DOT expenses

The Department of Tourism (DOT) spent last year about P6.1 million for “irregular, unnecessary, excessive” expenditures, the Commission on Audit (COA) reported in its review for 2022.

The audit report did not specify whether the expenses were incurred under the leadership of previous Tourism Chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat or current Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco or both.

But state auditors said the irregular expenses supposedly “contravened” government procurement rules or deviated from standard procedures established in 2012, or more than 10 years ago.

The COA said the P6.1 million worth of financial transactions and disbursements were considered as “not adhering to pertinent laws, rules and regulations, or are incurred without restraint, judiciousness and economy.”

After defining “irregular, unnecessary and excessive expenses” under COA Circular No. 2012-003, state auditors tabulated violative expenses by regional offices and even the Office of the Secretary itself.

Listed as irregular expenditures were: transportation allowances, amounting to P168,500, claimed by Office of the Secretary (OSEC) staff who were already assigned government vehicles; engaging in a P962,679 ground handling service contract; non-imposition of liquidated damages despite delays in delivery worth P19,100 (Bicol region office); meals worth P170,329 despite fewer attendees (Davao region office); and hotel accommodations worth P235,436.09 that were not certified by supervisors (Caraga).

For unnecessary expenditures, the COA listed travel and gasoline expenses amounting to P51,968.09 (Ilocos region office); purchase of airline tickets worth P10,253 (Bicol region office); and engagement of services of Manila-based resource speakers for training activities worth P230,844.92 (Caraga).

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